Modulation of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 expression

ABSTRACT

Compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2. The compositions comprise oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acid encoding diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 expression and for diagnosis and treatment of diseases and conditions associated with expression of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 are provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/748,281, filed Mar. 26, 2010, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/066,725, filed Aug. 24, 2005, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,732,590; which is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/US2004/024384, filed Aug. 18, 2004, which claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 10/643,801, filed Aug. 18, 2003, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,825,235, the entire contents of each of the above applications is herein incorporated by reference.

SEQUENCE LISTING

The present application is being filed along with a Sequence Listing in electronic format. The Sequence Listing is provided as a file entitled RTS0678USC2SEQ.txt, created on Aug. 2, 2012 which is 164 Kb in size. The information in the electronic format of the sequence listing is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides compositions and methods for modulating the expression of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2. In particular, this invention relates to antisense compounds, particularly oligonucleotide compounds, which, in preferred embodiments, hybridize with nucleic acid molecules encoding diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2. Such compounds are shown herein to modulate the expression of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Triglycerides are one of the major energy storage molecules in eukaryotes. The absorption of triglycerides (also called triacylglycerols) from food is a very efficient process which occurs by a series of steps wherein the dietary triacylglycerols are hydrolyzed in the intestinal lumen and then resynthesized within enterocytes. The resynthesis of triacylglycerols can occur via the monoacylglycerol pathway which commences with monoacylglycerol acyltransferase (MGAT) catalyzing the synthesis of diacylglycerol from monoacylglycerol and fatty acyl-CoA. An alternative synthesis of diacylglycerols is provided by the glycerol-phosphate pathway which describes the coupling of two molecules of fatty acyl-CoA to glycerol-3-phosphate. In either case, diacylglycerol is then acylated with another molecule of fatty acyl-CoA in a reaction catalyzed by one of two diacylglycerol acyltransferase enzymes to form the triglyceride (Farese et al., Curr. Opin. Lipidol., 2000, 11, 229-234).

The reaction catalyzed by diacylglycerol acyltransferase is the final and only committed step in triglyceride synthesis. As such, diacylglycerol acyltransferase is involved in intestinal fat absorption, lipoprotein assembly, regulating plasma triglyceride concentrations, and fat storage in adipocytes. The first diacylglycerol acyltransferase, diacylglycerol transferase 1, was identified in 1960 and the human and mouse genes encoding this protein were isolated in 1998 (Cases et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 1998, 95, 13018-13023; Oelkers et al., J. Biol. Chem., 1998, 273, 26765-26771). Mice lacking diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 are viable and can still synthesize triglycerides through other biological routes, suggesting the existence of multiple mechanisms for triglyceride synthesis (Smith et al., Nat. Genet., 2000, 25, 87-90).

A second diacylglycerol transferase, diacylglycerol transferase 2 (also known as DGAT2, diacylglycerol O-transferase 2, acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2), was subsequently identified in the fungus Mortierella, humans and mice (Cases et al., J. Biol. Chem., 2001, 276, 38870-38876; Lardizabal et al., J. Biol. Chem., 2001, 276, 38862-38869). Enzymatic assays indicate that this recently identified protein does possess diacylglycerol transferase activity that utilizes a broad range of long chain fatty acyl-CoA substrates (Cases et al., J. Biol. Chem., 2001, 276, 38870-38876).

Diacylglycerol transferase 2 is a member of a family of genes whose sequences are unrelated to diacylglycerol transferase 1. In addition to differing in sequence compared to diacylglycerol transferase 1, in vitro assays illustrate that diacylglycerol transferase 2 has higher activity at lower concentrations of magnesium chloride and oleoyl-CoA (Cases et al., J. Biol. Chem., 2001, 276, 38870-38876). The predicted protein sequence of diacylglycerol transferase 2 contains at least one putative transmembrane domain, three potential N-linked glycosylation sites, six potential protein kinase C phosphorylation consensus sites, as well as sequences in common with a putative glycerol phosphorylation site found in acyltransferase enzymes (Cases et al., J. Biol. Chem., 2001, 276, 38870-38876). The International Radiation Hybrid Mapping Consortium has mapped human diacylglycerol transferase 2 to chromosome 11q13.3.

In human tissues, the highest levels of diacylglycerol transferase 2 are detected in liver and white adipose tissues, with lower levels found in mammary gland, testis and peripheral blood leukocytes (Cases et al., J. Biol. Chem., 2001, 276, 38870-38876). Two mRNA species of 2.4 and 1.8 kilobases are detected in human tissues, whereas the major diacylglycerol transferase 2 mRNA species in mouse tissues is 2.4 kilobases. In addition to liver and white adipose tissues, diacylglycerol transferase 2 is expressed in all segments of the small intestine in mice, with higher expression in the proximal intestine and lower expression in the distal intestine (Cases et al., J. Biol. Chem., 2001, 276, 38870-38876).

Diacylglycerol transferase activity exhibits distinct patterns during postnatal development of the rat liver. As there is no correlation between the mRNA expression and activity patterns, post-translational modifications may participate in the regulation of diacylglycerol transferase 2 activity during rat development (Waterman et al., J. Lipid. Res., 2002, 43, 1555-1562).

Diacylglycerol transferase 2 mRNA is preferentially upregulated by insulin treatment, as shown by in vitro assays measuring the diacylglycerol activity from the membrane fraction of cultured mouse adipocytes (Meegalla et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 2002, 298, 317-323). In fasting mice, diacylglycerol transferase 2 expression is greatly reduced, and dramatically increases upon refeeding. The expression patterns of two enzymes that participate in fatty acid synthesis, acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthase, respond to fasting and refeeding in a similar fashion. These results, combined with the observation that diacylglycerol transferase 2 is abundantly expressed in liver, suggest that diacylglycerol transferase 2 is tightly linked to the endogenous fatty acid synthesis pathway (Meegalla et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 2002, 298, 317-323).

Studies of mice harboring a disruption in the diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 gene provide evidence that diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 contributes to triglyceride synthesis. Levels of diacylglycerol transferase 2 mRNA expression are similar in intestinal segments from both wild type and diacylglycerol transferase 1-deficient mice (Buhman et al., J. Biol. Chem., 2002, 277, 25474-25479). Using magnesium chloride to distinguish between diacylglycerol transferase 1 and 2 activity, Buhman, et al. observed that, in diacylglycerol transferase 1-deficient mice, diacylglycerol transferase activity is reduced to 50% in the proximal intestine and to 10-15% in the distal intestine (Buhman et al., J. Biol. Chem., 2002, 277, 25474-25479).

Additionally, diacylglycerol transferase 2 mRNA levels are not up-regulated the liver or adipose tissues of diacylglycerol transferase 1-deficient mice, even after weeks of high-fat diet (Cases et al., J. Biol. Chem., 2001, 276, 38870-38876; Chen et al., J. Clin. Invest., 2002, 109, 1049-1055). However, in ob/ob mice, which have a mutation in the leptin gene that results in obesity, diacylglycerol transferase 2 is more highly expressed than in wild type mice, suggesting that diacylglycerol transferase 2 may be partly responsible for the highly accumulated fat mass seen in these mice. Furthermore, the combined mutations of leptin and diacylglycerol transferase 1 leads to a three-fold elevation in diacylglycerol transferase 2 expression in white adipose tissue, compared to the levels in the same tissue from diacylglycerol transferase 1-deficient mice (Chen et al., J. Clin. Invest., 2002, 109, 1049-1055). Diacylglycerol transferase 2 mRNA is also upregulated in the skin of these mice (Chen et al., J. Clin. Invest., 2002, 109, 175-181). These data suggest leptin normally downregulates diacylglycerol transferase 2 expression, and that the upregulation of diacylglycerol transferase 2 in white adipose tissue in these mice may provide an alternate pathway for the triglyceride synthesis that still occurs in leptin deficient/diacylglycerol transferase 1-deficient mice (Chen et al., J. Clin. Invest., 2002, 109, 1049-1055).

Diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 knockout mice exhibit interesting phenotypes in that they are lean, resistant to diet-induce obesity, have decreased levels of tissue triglycerides and increased sensitivity to insulin and leptin (Chen et al., J. Clin. Invest., 2002, 109, 1049-1055; Smith et al., Nat. Genet., 2000, 25, 87-90). As diacylglycerol transferase 2 also participates in triglyceride synthesis, interfering with diacylglycerol transferase 2 may similarly lead to reduced body fat content.

The US pre-grant publications 20030124126 and 20020119138 claim and disclose a nucleic acid molecule encoding human diacylglycerol transferase 2 alpha, as well as compositions, including antisense oligonucleotides, for modulating the activity of said diacylglycerol transferase 2 alpha (Cases et al., 2003).

The US pre-grant publication 20030104414 refers to nucleic acid sequences which are members of a group of genes referred to as “protein cluster V” as well as the method for identification of an agent capable of modulating nucleic acid molecules in the protein cluster V group. This application also refers to the use of RNA interference or double-stranded RNA to disrupt the function of protein cluster V gene family members (Attersand, 2003).

The US pre-grant publication 20030100480 refers to modifying diacylglycerol transferase activity, including that of diacylglycerol transferase 2, by a variety of methods, including antisense, RNA interference and diacylglycerol transferase 2 antisense plasmid constructs (Smith et al., 2003).

The US pre-grant publication 20030028923 refers to a method for modifying the triacylglycerol composition in a plant cell, comprising transforming a plant cell with a nucleic acid construct encoding an enzyme active in the formation of triacylglycerol from diacylglycerol and fatty acyl substrates, including nucleic acid constructs in the antisense orientation. Also referred to is a method for ameliorating a disease or condition associated with altered diacylglycerol acyltransferase activity by administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of a diacylglycerol acyltransferase agonist. This application indicates that such antagonists can include antisense molecules (Lardizabal et al., 2003).

The PCT publication WO 00/78961 refers to isolated nucleic acid molecules selected from a group including a nucleic acid sequence encoding diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2. This publication also comments that sense or antisense oligonucleotides binding to target nucleic acid sequences can interfere with transcription or translation of the disclosed and claimed nucleic acid molecules (Baker et al., 2000).

The PCT publication WO 01/77389 refers to polynucleotides selected from a group of sequences including a nucleotide sequence encoding a human diacylglycerol acyltransferase. A method for screening for the altered expression of said polynucleotides and a method for screening a library of molecules that specifically bind to said polynucleotide sequences are discussed (Shiffman et al., 2001).

The PCT publication WO 01/68848 refers to a nucleic acid molecules encoding secreted and transmembrane polypeptides, including a human diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 nucleic acid molecule, and oligonucleotide probes derived from any of these sequences (Baker et al., 2001).

European Patent Application No. EP 1 308 459 refers to a group of polynucleotide sequences, including a nucleic acid molecule encoding human diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2, and antisense polynucleotides against this group of polynucleotide sequences (Isogai et al., 2003).

The PCT publication WO 02/08260 refers to an isolated, purified polynucleotide sequence with identity to a human diacylglycerol transferase 2 nucleotide sequence. This application also refers to a substantially purified oligonucleotide that includes a region of nucleotide sequence that hybridizes to at least 8 consecutive nucleotides of sense or antisense sequence of a nucleotide sequence selected from a group consisting of sequences with identity to human diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 (Botstein et al., 2002).

Currently, there are no known therapeutic agents that effectively inhibit the synthesis of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2. Consequently, there remains a long felt need for additional agents capable of effectively inhibiting diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 function.

The present invention provides compositions and methods for modulating diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 expression.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to compounds, especially nucleic acid and nucleic acid-like oligomers, which are targeted to a nucleic acid encoding diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2, and which modulate the expression of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2. Pharmaceutical and other compositions comprising the compounds of the invention are also provided. Further provided are methods of screening for modulators of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 and methods of modulating the expression of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 in cells, tissues or animals comprising contacting said cells, tissues or animals with one or more of the compounds or compositions of the invention.

Antisense technology is an effective means for reducing the expression of specific gene products and may therefore prove to be uniquely useful in a number of therapeutic, diagnostic, and research applications for the modulation of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 expression.

Methods of treating an animal, particularly a human, suspected of having or being prone to a disease or condition associated with expression of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 are also set forth herein. Such methods comprise administering a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of one or more of the compounds or compositions of the invention to the person in need of treatment.

In one aspect, the invention provides the use of a compound or composition of the invention in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of any and all conditions disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A. Overview of the Invention

The present invention employs antisense compounds, preferably oligonucleotides and similar species for use in modulating the function or effect of nucleic acid molecules encoding diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2. This is accomplished by providing oligonucleotides that specifically hybridize with one or more nucleic acid molecules encoding diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2. As used herein, the terms “target nucleic acid” and “nucleic acid molecule encoding diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2” have been used for convenience to encompass DNA encoding diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2, RNA (including pre-mRNA and mRNA or portions thereof) transcribed from such DNA, and also cDNA derived from such RNA. The hybridization of a compound of this invention with its target nucleic acid is generally referred to as “antisense”. Consequently, the preferred mechanism believed to be included in the practice of some preferred embodiments of the invention is referred to herein as “antisense inhibition.” Such antisense inhibition is typically based upon hydrogen bonding-based hybridization of oligonucleotide strands or segments such that at least one strand or segment is cleaved, degraded, or otherwise rendered inoperable. In this regard, it is presently preferred to target specific nucleic acid molecules and their functions for such antisense inhibition.

The functions of DNA to be interfered with can include replication and transcription. Replication and transcription, for example, can be from an endogenous cellular template, a vector, a plasmid construct or otherwise. The functions of RNA to be interfered with can include functions such as translocation of the RNA to a site of protein translation, translocation of the RNA to sites within the cell which are distant from the site of RNA synthesis, translation of protein from the RNA, splicing of the RNA to yield one or more RNA species, and catalytic activity or complex formation involving the RNA which may be engaged in or facilitated by the RNA. One preferred result of such interference with target nucleic acid function is modulation of the expression of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2. In the context of the present invention, “modulation” and “modulation of expression” mean either an increase (stimulation) or a decrease (inhibition) in the amount or levels of a nucleic acid molecule encoding the gene, e.g., DNA or RNA Inhibition is often the preferred form of modulation of expression and mRNA is often a preferred target nucleic acid.

In the context of this invention, “hybridization” means the pairing of complementary strands of oligomeric compounds. In the present invention, the preferred mechanism of pairing involves hydrogen bonding, which may be Watson-Crick, Hoogsteen or reversed Hoogsteen hydrogen bonding, between complementary nucleoside or nucleotide bases (nucleobases) of the strands of oligomeric compounds. For example, adenine and thymine are complementary nucleobases which pair through the formation of hydrogen bonds. Hybridization can occur under varying circumstances.

An antisense compound is specifically hybridizable when binding of the compound to the target nucleic acid interferes with the normal function of the target nucleic acid to cause a loss of activity, and there is a sufficient degree of complementarity to avoid non-specific binding of the antisense compound to non-target nucleic acid sequences under conditions in which specific binding is desired, e.g., under physiological conditions in the case of in vivo assays or therapeutic treatment, and under conditions in which assays are performed in the case of in vitro assays.

In the present invention the phrase “stringent hybridization conditions” or “stringent conditions” refers to conditions under which a compound of the invention will hybridize to its target sequence, but to a minimal number of other sequences. Stringent conditions are sequence-dependent and will be different in different circumstances and in the context of this invention, “stringent conditions” under which oligomeric compounds hybridize to a target sequence are determined by the nature and composition of the oligomeric compounds and the assays in which they are being investigated.

“Complementary,” as used herein, refers to the capacity hydrogen bonding between the oligonucleotide and the target nucleic acid is considered to be a complementary position. The oligonucleotide and the further DNA, RNA, or oligonucleotide molecule are complementary to each other when a sufficient number of complementary positions in each molecule are occupied by nucleobases which can hydrogen bond with each other. Thus, “specifically hybridizable” and “complementary” are terms which are used to indicate a sufficient degree of precise pairing or complementarity over a sufficient number of nucleobases such that stable and specific binding occurs between the oligonucleotide and a target nucleic acid.

It is understood in the art that the sequence of an antisense compound may be, but need not be, 100% complementary to that of its target nucleic acid to be specifically hybridizable. Moreover, an oligonucleotide may hybridize over one or more segments such that intervening or adjacent segments are not involved in the hybridization event (e.g., a loop structure or hairpin structure). It is preferred that the antisense compounds of the present invention comprise at least 70%, or at least 75%, or at least 80%, or at least 85% sequence complementarity to a target region within the target nucleic acid. Moreover, they may comprise at least 90% sequence complementarity, at least 95% or at least 99% sequence complementarity to the target region within the target nucleic acid sequence to which they are targeted. For example, an antisense compound in which 18 of 20 nucleobases of the antisense compound are complementary to a target region, and would therefore specifically hybridize, would represent 90 percent complementarity. In this example, the remaining noncomplementary nucleobases may be clustered or interspersed with complementary nucleobases, and need not be contiguous to each other or to complementary nucleobases. As such, an antisense compound which is 18 nucleobases in length having 4 (four) noncomplementary nucleobases which are flanked by two regions of complete complementarity with the target nucleic acid would have 77.8% overall complementarity with the target nucleic acid and would thus fall within the scope of the present invention. Percent complementarity of an antisense compound with a region of a target nucleic acid can be determined routinely using BLAST programs (basic local alignment search tools) and PowerBLAST programs known in the art (Altschul et al., J. Mol. Biol., 1990, 215, 403-410; Zhang and Madden, Genome Res., 1997, 7, 649-656).

Percent homology, sequence identity, or complementarity, can be determined by, for example, the Gap program (Wisconsin Sequence Analysis Package, Version 8 for Unix, Genetics Computer Group, University Research Park, Madison Wis.), using default settings, which uses the algorithm of Smith and Waterman (Adv. Appl. Math., 1981, 2, 482-489). In some preferred embodiments, homology, sequence identity, or complementarity, between the oligomeric compound and target is between about 50% to about 60%. In some embodiments, homology, sequence identity or complementarity, is between about 60% to about 70%. In some embodiments, homology, sequence identity or complementarity, is between about 70% and about 80%. In further embodiments, homology, sequence identity or complementarity, is between about 80% and about 90%. In some embodiments, homology, sequence identity or complementarity, is about 90%, about 92%, about 94%, about 95%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98%, about 99% or about 100%.

B. Compounds of the Invention

According to the present invention, antisense compounds include antisense oligomeric compounds, antisense oligonucleotides, siRNAs, external guide sequence (EGS) oligonucleotides, alternate splicers, and other oligomeric compounds which hybridize to at least a portion of the target nucleic acid. As such, these compounds may be introduced in the form of single-stranded, double-stranded, circular or hairpin oligomeric compounds and may contain structural elements such as internal or terminal bulges or loops. Once introduced to a system, the compounds of the invention may elicit the action of one or more enzymes or structural proteins to effect modification of the target nucleic acid.

One non-limiting example of such an enzyme is RNase H, a cellular endonuclease which cleaves the RNA strand of an RNA:DNA duplex. It is known in the art that single-stranded antisense compounds that are “DNA-like” elicit RNase H. Activation of RNase H, therefore, results in cleavage of the RNA target, thereby greatly enhancing the efficiency of oligonucleotide-mediated inhibition of gene expression. Similar roles have been postulated for other ribonucleases such as those in the RNase III and ribonuclease L family of enzymes.

While the one form of antisense compound is a single-stranded antisense oligonucleotide, in many species the introduction of double-stranded structures, such as double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules, has been shown to induce potent and specific antisense-mediated reduction of the function of a gene or its associated gene products. This phenomenon occurs in both plants and animals and is believed to have an evolutionary connection to viral defense and transposon silencing.

The first evidence that dsRNA could lead to gene silencing in animals came in 1995 from work in the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans (Guo and Kempheus, Cell, 1995, 81, 611-620). The primary interference effects of dsRNA are posttranscriptional (Montgomery et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 1998, 95, 15502-15507). The posttranscriptional antisense mechanism defined in Caenorhabditis elegans resulting from exposure to double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) has since been designated RNA interference (RNAi). This term has been generalized to mean antisense-mediated gene silencing involving the introduction of dsRNA leading to the sequence-specific reduction of endogenous targeted mRNA levels (Fire et al., Nature, 1998, 391, 806-811). Recently, the single-stranded RNA oligomers of antisense polarity of the dsRNAs have been reported to be the potent inducers of RNAi (Tijsterman et al., Science, 2002, 295, 694-697).

The antisense compounds of the present invention also include modified compounds in which a different base is present at one or more of the nucleotide positions in the compound. For example, if the first nucleotide is an adenosine, modified compounds may be produced which contain thymidine, guanosine or cytidine at this position. This may be done at any of the positions of the antisense compound. These compounds are then tested using the methods described herein to determine their ability to inhibit expression of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 mRNA.

In the context of this invention, the term “oligomeric compound” refers to a polymer or oligomer comprising a plurality of monomeric units. In the context of this invention, the term “oligonucleotide” refers to an oligomer or polymer of ribonucleic acid (RNA) or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or mimetics, chimeras, analogs and homologs thereof. This term includes oligonucleotides composed of naturally occurring nucleobases, sugars and covalent internucleoside (backbone) linkages as well as oligonucleotides having non-naturally occurring portions which function similarly. Such modified or substituted oligonucleotides are often preferred over native forms because of desirable properties such as, for example, enhanced cellular uptake, enhanced affinity for a target nucleic acid and increased stability in the presence of nucleases.

While oligonucleotides are a preferred form of the antisense compounds of this invention, the present invention comprehends other families of antisense compounds as well, including but not limited to oligonucleotide analogs and mimetics such as those described herein.

The antisense compounds in accordance with this invention preferably comprise from about 8 to about 80 nucleobases (i.e. from about 8 to about 80 linked nucleosides). One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the invention embodies compounds of 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, or 80 nucleobases in length.

In one embodiment, the antisense compounds of the invention are 12 to 50 nucleobases in length. One having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that this embodies compounds of 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, or 50 nucleobases in length.

In one embodiment, the antisense compounds of the invention are 13 to 40 nucleobases in length. One having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that this embodies compounds of 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 or 40 nucleobases in length.

In another embodiment, the antisense compounds of the invention are 15 to 30 nucleobases in length. One having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that this embodies compounds of 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, or 30 nucleobases in length.

In further embodiments, the antisense compounds are oligonucleotides from about 12 to about 50 nucleobases, or from about 13 to 40 nucleobases, or from about 15 to about 30 nucleobases.

In another embodiment, the antisense compounds comprise at least 8 contiguous nucleobases of an antisense compound disclosed herein.

Antisense compounds 8-80 nucleobases in length comprising a stretch of at least eight (8) consecutive nucleobases selected from within the illustrative antisense compounds are considered to be suitable antisense compounds as well.

Further antisense compounds include oligonucleotide sequences that comprise at least the 8 consecutive nucleobases from the 5′-terminus of one of the illustrative preferred antisense compounds (the remaining nucleobases being a consecutive stretch of the same oligonucleotide beginning immediately upstream of the 5′-terminus of the antisense compound that is specifically hybridizable to the target nucleic acid and continuing until the oligonucleotide contains about 8 to about 80 nucleobases). Similarly, antisense compounds are represented by oligonucleotide sequences that comprise at least the 8 consecutive nucleobases from the 3′-terminus of one of the illustrative preferred antisense compounds (the remaining nucleobases being a consecutive stretch of the same oligonucleotide beginning immediately downstream of the 3′-terminus of the antisense compound that is specifically hybridizable to the target nucleic acid and continuing until the oligonucleotide contains about 8 to about 80 nucleobases). It is also understood that antisense compounds may be represented by oligonucleotide sequences that comprise at least 8 consecutive nucleobases from an internal portion of the sequence of an illustrative preferred antisense compound, and may extend in either or both directions until the oligonucleotide contains about 8 to about 80 nucleobases.

In one embodiment, the antisense compound includes SEQ ID NOS: 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 75, 76, 77, 78, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 94, 95, 96, 97, 101, 109, 114, 115, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 127, 128, 130, 133, 136 or 142. In still other embodiments, the antisense compounds are one or more of SEQ ID NOS: 277 through 411.

In another embodiment, the antisense compound includes SEQ ID NOS: 21, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 35, 36, 47, 49, 57, 62, 65, 66, 71, 73, 77, 81, 82, 90, 92 or 94

One having skill in the art armed with the preferred antisense compounds illustrated herein will be able, without undue experimentation, to identify further preferred antisense compounds.

C. Targets of the Invention

“Targeting” an antisense compound to a particular nucleic acid molecule, in the context of this invention, can be a multistep process. The process usually begins with the identification of a target nucleic acid whose function is to be modulated. This target nucleic acid may be, for example, a cellular gene (or mRNA transcribed from the gene) whose expression is associated with a particular disorder or disease state, or a nucleic acid molecule from an infectious agent. In the present invention, the target nucleic acid encodes diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2.

The targeting process usually also includes determination of at least one target region, segment, or site within the target nucleic acid for the antisense interaction to occur such that the desired effect, e.g., modulation of expression, will result. Within the context of the present invention, the term “region” is defined as a portion of the target nucleic acid having at least one identifiable structure, function, or characteristic. Within regions of target nucleic acids are segments. “Segments” are defined as smaller or sub-portions of regions within a target nucleic acid. “Sites,” as used in the present invention, are defined as positions within a target nucleic acid.

Since, as is known in the art, the translation initiation codon is typically 5′-AUG (in transcribed mRNA molecules; 5′-ATG in the corresponding DNA molecule), the translation initiation codon is also referred to as the “AUG codon,” the “start codon” or the “AUG start codon”. A minority of genes having a translation initiation codon with the RNA sequence 5′-GUG, 5′-UUG or 5′-CUG, and 5′-AUA, 5′-ACG and 5′-CUG have been shown to function in vivo. Thus, the terms “translation initiation codon” and “start codon” can encompass many codon sequences, even though the initiator amino acid in each instance is typically methionine (in eukaryotes) or formylmethionine (in prokaryotes). It is also known in the art that eukaryotic and prokaryotic genes may have two or more alternative start codons, any one of which may be preferentially utilized for translation initiation in a particular cell type or tissue, or under a particular set of conditions. In the context of the invention, “start codon” and “translation initiation codon” refer to the codon or codons that are used in vivo to initiate translation of an mRNA transcribed from a gene encoding diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2, regardless of the sequence(s) of such codons. It is also known in the art that a translation termination codon (or “stop codon”) of a gene may have one of three sequences, i.e., 5′-UAA, 5′-UAG and 5′-UGA (the corresponding DNA sequences are 5′-TAA, 5′-TAG and 5′-TGA, respectively).

The terms “start codon region” and “translation initiation codon region” refer to a portion of such an mRNA or gene that encompasses from about 25 to about 50 contiguous nucleotides in either direction (i.e., 5′ or 3′) from a translation initiation codon. Similarly, the terms “stop codon region” and “translation termination codon region” refer to a portion of such an mRNA or gene that encompasses from about 25 to about 50 contiguous nucleotides in either direction (i.e., 5′ or 3′) from a translation termination codon. Consequently, the “start codon region” (or “translation initiation codon region”) and the “stop codon region” (or “translation termination codon region”) are all regions which may be targeted effectively with the antisense compounds of the present invention.

The open reading frame (ORF) or “coding region,” which is known in the art to refer to the region between the translation initiation codon and the translation termination codon, is also a region which may be targeted effectively. Within the context of the present invention, a preferred region is the intragenic region encompassing the translation initiation or termination codon of the open reading frame (ORF) of a gene.

Other target regions include the 5′ untranslated region (5′UTR), known in the art to refer to the portion of an mRNA in the 5′ direction from the translation initiation codon, and thus including nucleotides between the 5′ cap site and the translation initiation codon of an mRNA (or corresponding nucleotides on the gene), and the 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR), known in the art to refer to the portion of an mRNA in the 3′ direction from the translation termination codon, and thus including nucleotides between the translation termination codon and 3′ end of an mRNA (or corresponding nucleotides on the gene). The 5′ cap site of an mRNA comprises an N7-methylated guanosine residue joined to the 5′-most residue of the mRNA via a 5′-5′ triphosphate linkage. The 5′ cap region of an mRNA is considered to include the 5′ cap structure itself as well as the first 50 nucleotides adjacent to the cap site. It is also preferred to target the 5′ cap region.

Accordingly, the present invention provides antisense compounds that target a portion of nucleotides 1-2439 as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 4. In another embodiment, the antisense compounds target at least an 8-nucleobase portion of nucleotides 1-230, comprising the 5′UTR as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 4. In another embodiment, the antisense compounds target at least an 8-nucleobase portion of nucleotides 1395-2439, comprising the 3′UTR as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 4. In another embodiment, the antisense compounds target at least an 8-nucleobase portion of nucleotides 231-1394, comprising the coding region as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 4. In still other embodiments, the antisense compounds target at least an 8-nucleobase portion of a “preferred target segment” (as defined herein) as set forth in Table 3 or additional Tables in the Examples below.

Although some eukaryotic mRNA transcripts are directly translated, many contain one or more regions, known as “introns,” which are excised from a transcript before it is translated. The remaining (and therefore translated) regions are known as “exons” and are spliced together to form a continuous mRNA sequence, resulting in exon-exon junctions at the sites where exons are joined. Targeting exon-exon junctions can be useful in situations where the overproduction of a normal splice product is implicated in disease, or where the overproduction of an aberrant splice product is implicated in disease. Targeting splice sites, i.e., intron-exon junctions or exon-intron junctions, may also be particularly useful in situations where aberrant splicing is implicated in disease, or where an overproduction of a particular splice product is implicated in disease. Aberrant fusion junctions due to rearrangements or deletions are also preferred target sites. mRNA transcripts produced via the process of splicing of two (or more) mRNAs from different gene sources, known as “fusion transcripts”, are also suitable target sites. It is also known that introns can be effectively targeted using antisense compounds targeted to, for example, DNA or pre-mRNA.

It is also known in the art that alternative RNA transcripts can be produced from the same genomic region of DNA. These alternative transcripts are generally known as “variants”. More specifically, “pre-mRNA variants” are transcripts produced from the same genomic DNA that differ from other transcripts produced from the same genomic DNA in either their start or stop position and contain both intronic and exonic sequence.

Upon excision of one or more exon or intron regions, or portions thereof during splicing, pre-mRNA variants produce smaller “mRNA variants”. Consequently, mRNA variants are processed pre-mRNA variants, and each unique pre-mRNA variant must always produce a unique mRNA variant as a result of splicing. These mRNA variants are also known as “alternative splice variants”. If no splicing of the pre-mRNA variant occurs then the pre-mRNA variant is identical to the mRNA variant.

It is also known in the art that variants can be produced through the use of alternative signals to start or stop transcription and that pre-mRNAs and mRNAs can possess more that one start codon or stop codon. Variants that originate from a pre-mRNA or mRNA that use alternative start codons are known as “alternative start variants” of that pre-mRNA or mRNA. Those transcripts that use an alternative stop codon are known as “alternative stop variants” of that pre-mRNA or mRNA. One specific type of alternative stop variant is the “polyA variant” in which the multiple transcripts produced result from the alternative selection of one of the “polyA stop signals” by the transcription machinery, thereby producing transcripts that terminate at unique polyA sites. Within the context of the invention, the types of variants described herein are also preferred target nucleic acids.

The locations on the target nucleic acid to which the preferred antisense compounds hybridize are hereinbelow referred to as “preferred target segments.” As used herein the term “preferred target segment” is defined as at least an 8-nucleobase portion of a target region to which an active antisense compound is targeted. While not wishing to be bound by theory, it is presently believed that these target segments represent portions of the target nucleic acid which are accessible for hybridization.

While the specific sequences of certain preferred target segments are set forth herein, one of skill in the art will recognize that these serve to illustrate and describe particular embodiments within the scope of the present invention. Additional preferred target segments may be identified by one having ordinary skill.

Target segments 8-80 nucleobases in length comprising a stretch of at least eight (8) consecutive nucleobases selected from within the illustrative preferred target segments are considered to be suitable for targeting as well.

Target segments can include DNA or RNA sequences that comprise at least the 8 consecutive nucleobases from the 5′-terminus of one of the illustrative preferred target segments (the remaining nucleobases being a consecutive stretch of the same DNA or RNA beginning immediately upstream of the 5′-terminus of the target segment and continuing until the DNA or RNA contains about 8 to about 80 nucleobases). Similarly preferred target segments are represented by DNA or RNA sequences that comprise at least the 8 consecutive nucleobases from the 3′-terminus of one of the illustrative preferred target segments (the remaining nucleobases being a consecutive stretch of the same DNA or RNA beginning immediately downstream of the 3′-terminus of the target segment and continuing until the DNA or RNA contains about 8 to about 80 nucleobases). It is also understood that preferred antisense target segments may be represented by DNA or RNA sequences that comprise at least 8 consecutive nucleobases from an internal portion of the sequence of an illustrative preferred target segment, and may extend in either or both directions until the oligonucleotide contains about 8 to about 80 nucleobases. One having skill in the art armed with the preferred target segments illustrated herein will be able, without undue experimentation, to identify further preferred target segments.

Once one or more target regions, segments or sites have been identified, antisense compounds are chosen which are sufficiently complementary to the target, i.e., hybridize sufficiently well and with sufficient specificity, to give the desired effect.

The oligomeric antisense compounds can also be targeted to regions of a target nucleobase sequence, such as those disclosed herein (e.g., in Example 13) All regions of a nucleobase sequence to which an oligomeric antisense compound can be targeted, wherein the regions are greater than or equal to 8 and less than or equal to 80 nucleobases, are described as follows:

Let R(m, n+m−1) be a region from a target nucleobase sequence, where “n” is the 5′-most nucleobase position of the region, where “n+m−1” is the 3′-most nucleobase position of the region and where “m” is the length of the region. A set “S(m)”, of regions of length “m” is defined as the regions where n ranges from 1 to L−m+1, where L is the length of the target nucleobase sequence and L>m. A set, “A”, of all regions can be constructed as a union of the sets of regions for each length from where m is greater than or equal to 8 and is less than or equal to 80.

This set of regions can be represented using the following mathematical notation:

$A = \left. {{\bigcup\limits_{m}{{S(m)}\mspace{14mu}{where}\mspace{14mu} m}} \in N} \middle| {8 \leq m \leq 80} \right.$ and S(m) = {R_(n, n + m − 1)|n ∈ {1, 2, 3, …  , L − m + 1}}

where the mathematical operator | indicates “such that”,

where the mathematical operator c indicates “a member of a set” (e.g. yεZ indicates that element y is a member of set Z),

where x is a variable,

where N indicates all natural numbers, defined as positive integers, and where the mathematical operator ∪ indicates “the union of sets”.

For example, the set of regions for m equal to 8, 20 and 80 can be constructed in the following manner. The set of regions, each 8 nucleobases in length, S(m=8), in a target nucleobase sequence 100 nucleobases in length (L=100), beginning at position 1 (n=1) of the target nucleobase sequence, can be created using the following expression: S(8)={R _(1,8) |nε{1, 2, 3, . . . , 93}} and describes the set of regions comprising nucleobases 1-8, 2-9, 3-10, 4-11, 5-12, 6-13, 7-14, 8-15, 9-16, 10-17, 11-18, 12-19, 13-20, 14-21, 15-22, 16-23, 17-24, 18-25, 19-26, 20-27, 21-28, 22-29, 23-30, 24-31, 25-32, 26-33, 27-34, 28-35, 29-36, 30-37, 31-38, 32-39, 33-40, 34-41, 35-42, 36-43, 37-44, 38-45, 39-46, 40-47, 41-48, 42-49, 43-50, 44-51, 45-52, 46-53, 47-54, 48-55, 49-56, 50-57, 51-58, 52-59, 53-60, 54-61, 55-62, 56-63, 57-64, 58-65, 59-66, 60-67, 61-68, 62-69, 63-70, 64-71, 65-72, 66-73, 67-74, 68-75, 69-76, 70-77, 71-78, 72-79, 73-80, 74-81, 75-82, 76-83, 77-84, 78-85, 79-86, 80-87, 81-88, 82-89, 83-90, 84-91, 85-92, 86-93, 87-94, 88-95, 89-96, 90-97, 91-98, 92-99, 93-100.

An additional set for regions 20 nucleobases in length, in a target sequence 100 nucleobases in length, beginning at position 1 of the target nucleobase sequence, can be described using the following expression: S(20)={R _(1,20) |nε{1, 2, 3, . . . , 81}} and describes the set of regions comprising nucleobases 1-20, 2-21, 3-22, 4-23, 5-24, 6-25, 7-26, 8-27, 9-28, 10-29, 11-30, 12-31, 13-32, 14-33, 15-34, 16-35, 17-36, 18-37, 19-38, 20-39, 21-40, 22-41, 23-42, 24-43, 25-44, 26-45, 27-46, 28-47, 29-48, 30-49, 31-50, 32-51, 33-52, 34-53, 35-54, 36-55, 37-56, 38-57, 39-58, 40-59, 41-60, 42-61, 43-62, 44-63, 45-64, 46-65, 47-66, 48-67, 49-68, 50-69, 51-70, 52-71, 53-72, 54-73, 55-74, 56-75, 57-76, 58-77, 59-78, 60-79, 61-80, 62-81, 63-82, 64-83, 65-84, 66-85, 67-86, 68-87, 69-88, 70-89, 71-90, 72-91, 73-92, 74-93, 75-94, 76-95, 77-96, 78-97, 79-98, 80-99, 81-100.

An additional set for regions 80 nucleobases in length, in a target sequence 100 nucleobases in length, beginning at position 1 of the target nucleobase sequence, can be described using the following expression: S(80)={R _(1,20) |nε{1, 2, 3, . . . , 81}} and describes the set of regions comprising nucleobases 1-80, 2-81, 3-82, 4-83, 5-84, 6-85, 7-86, 8-87, 9-88, 10-89, 11-90, 12-91, 13-92, 14-93, 15-94, 16-95, 17-96, 18-97, 19-98, 20-99, 21-100.

Thus, in this example, A would include regions 1-8, 2-9, 3-10 . . . 93-100, 1-20, 2-21, 3-22 . . . 81-100, 1-80, 2-81, 3-82 . . . 21-100.

The union of these aforementioned example sets and other sets for lengths from 10 to 19 and 21 to 79 can be described using the mathematical expression:

$A = {\bigcup\limits_{m}{S(m)}}$

where ∪ represents the union of the sets obtained by combining all members of all sets.

The mathematical expressions described herein define all possible target regions in a target nucleobase sequence of any length L, where the region is of length m, and where m is greater than or equal to 8 and less than or equal to 80 nucleobases, and where m is less than L, and where n is less than L−m+1.

D. Screening and Target Validation

In a further embodiment, the “preferred target segments” identified herein may be employed in a screen for additional compounds that modulate the expression of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2. “Modulators” are those compounds that decrease or increase the expression of a nucleic acid molecule encoding diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 and which comprise at least an 8-nucleobase portion which is complementary to a preferred target segment. The screening method comprises the steps of contacting a preferred target segment of a nucleic acid molecule encoding diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 with one or more candidate modulators, and selecting for one or more candidate modulators which decrease or increase the expression of a nucleic acid molecule encoding diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2. Once it is shown that the candidate modulator or modulators are capable of modulating (e.g. either decreasing or increasing) the expression of a nucleic acid molecule encoding diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2, the modulator may then be employed in further investigative studies of the function of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2, or for use as a research, diagnostic, or therapeutic agent in accordance with the present invention.

The preferred target segments of the present invention may be also be combined with their respective complementary antisense compounds of the present invention to form stabilized double-stranded (duplexed) oligonucleotides.

Such double stranded oligonucleotide moieties have been shown in the art to modulate target expression and regulate translation as well as RNA processing via an antisense mechanism. Moreover, the double-stranded moieties may be subject to chemical modifications (Fire et al., Nature, 1998, 391, 806-811; Timmons and Fire, Nature 1998, 395, 854; Timmons et al., Gene, 2001, 263, 103-112; Tabara et al., Science, 1998, 282, 430-431; Montgomery et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 1998, 95, 15502-15507; Tuschl et al., Genes Dev., 1999, 13, 3191-3197; Elbashir et al., Nature, 2001, 411, 494-498; Elbashir et al., Genes Dev. 2001, 15, 188-200). For example, such double-stranded moieties have been shown to inhibit the target by the classical hybridization of the antisense strand of the duplex to the target, thereby triggering enzymatic degradation of the target (Tijsterman et al., Science, 2002, 295, 694-697).

The compounds of the present invention can also be applied in the areas of drug discovery and target validation. The present invention comprehends the use of the compounds and preferred target segments identified herein in drug discovery efforts to elucidate relationships that exist between diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 and a disease state, phenotype, or condition. These methods include detecting or modulating diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 comprising contacting a sample, tissue, cell, or organism with the compounds of the present invention, measuring the nucleic acid or protein level of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 and/or a related phenotypic or chemical endpoint at some time after treatment, and optionally comparing the measured value to a non-treated sample or sample treated with a further compound of the invention. These methods can also be performed in parallel or in combination with other experiments to determine the function of unknown genes for the process of target validation or to determine the validity of a particular gene product as a target for treatment or prevention of a particular disease, condition, or phenotype.

E. Kits, Research Reagents, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics

The antisense compounds of the present invention are utilized for diagnostics, therapeutics, prophylaxis and as research reagents and kits. Furthermore, antisense oligonucleotides, which are able to inhibit gene expression with exquisite specificity, are often used by those of ordinary skill to elucidate the function of particular genes or to distinguish between functions of various members of a biological pathway.

For use in kits and diagnostics, the compounds of the present invention, either alone or in combination with other compounds or therapeutics, are used as tools in differential and/or combinatorial analyses to elucidate expression patterns of a portion or the entire complement of genes expressed within cells and tissues.

As one nonlimiting example, expression patterns within cells or tissues treated with one or more antisense compounds are compared to control cells or tissues not treated with antisense compounds and the patterns produced are analyzed for differential levels of gene expression as they pertain, for example, to disease association, signaling pathway, cellular localization, expression level, size, structure or function of the genes examined. These analyses can be performed on stimulated or unstimulated cells and in the presence or absence of other compounds which affect expression patterns.

Examples of methods of gene expression analysis known in the art include DNA arrays or microarrays (Brazma and Vilo, FEBS Lett., 2000, 480, 17-24; Celis, et al., FEBS Lett., 2000, 480, 2-16), SAGE (serial analysis of gene expression) (Madden, et al., Drug Discov. Today, 2000, 5, 415-425), READS (restriction enzyme amplification of digested cDNAs) (Prashar and Weissman, Methods Enzymol., 1999, 303, 258-72), TOGA (total gene expression analysis) (Sutcliffe, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 2000, 97, 1976-81), protein arrays and proteomics (Celis, et al., FEBS Lett., 2000, 480, 2-16; Jungblut, et al., Electrophoresis, 1999, 20, 2100-10), expressed sequence tag (EST) sequencing (Celis, et al., FEBS Lett., 2000, 480, 2-16; Larsson, et al., J. Biotechnol., 2000, 80, 143-57), subtractive RNA fingerprinting (SuRF) (Fuchs, et al., Anal. Biochem., 2000, 286, 91-98; Larson, et al., Cytometry, 2000, 41, 203-208), subtractive cloning, differential display (DD) (Jurecic and Belmont, Curr. Opin. Microbiol., 2000, 3, 316-21), comparative genomic hybridization (Carulli, et al., J. Cell Biochem. Suppl., 1998, 31, 286-96), FISH (fluorescent in situ hybridization) techniques (Going and Gusterson, Eur. J. Cancer, 1999, 35, 1895-904) and mass spectrometry methods (To, Comb. Chem. High Throughput Screen, 2000, 3, 235-41).

The antisense compounds of the invention are useful for research and diagnostics, because these compounds hybridize to nucleic acids encoding diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2. The primers and probes disclosed herein are useful in methods requiring the specific detection of nucleic acid molecules encoding diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 and in the amplification of said nucleic acid molecules for detection or for use in further studies of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2. Hybridization of the primers and probes with a nucleic acid encoding diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 can be detected by means known in the art. Such means may include conjugation of an enzyme to the primer or probe or any other suitable detection means. Kits using such detection means for detecting the level of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 in a sample may also be prepared.

The invention further provides for the use of a compound or composition of the invention in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of any and all conditions disclosed herein.

The specificity and sensitivity of antisense are also harnessed by those of skill in the art for therapeutic uses. Antisense compounds have been employed as therapeutic moieties in the treatment of disease states in animals, including humans. Antisense oligonucleotide drugs, including ribozymes, have been safely and effectively administered to humans and numerous clinical trials are underway. It is thus established that antisense compounds can be useful therapeutic modalities that can be configured to be useful in treatment regimes for the treatment of cells, tissues and animals, especially humans.

For therapeutics, an animal, preferably a human, suspected of having a disease or disorder which can be treated by modulating the expression of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 is treated by administering antisense compounds in accordance with this invention. For example, in one non-limiting embodiment, the methods comprise the step of administering to the animal in need of treatment, a therapeutically effective amount of a diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 inhibitor. The diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 inhibitors of the present invention effectively inhibit the activity of the diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 protein or inhibit the expression of the diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 protein. In one embodiment, the activity or expression of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 in an animal is inhibited by about 10%. Preferably, the activity or expression of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 in an animal is inhibited by about 30%. More preferably, the activity or expression of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 in an animal is inhibited by 50% or more. Thus, the antisense compounds modulate expression of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 mRNA by at least 10%, by at least 20%, by at least 25%, by at least 30%, by at least 40%, by at least 50%, by at least 60%, by at least 70%, by at least 75%, by at least 80%, by at least 85%, by at least 90%, by at least 95%, by at least 98%, by at least 99%, or by 100%.

For example, the reduction of the expression of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 may be measured in serum, adipose tissue, liver or any other body fluid, tissue or organ of the animal. Preferably, the cells contained within said fluids, tissues or organs being analyzed contain a nucleic acid molecule encoding diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 protein and/or the diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 protein itself.

The antisense compounds of the invention can be utilized in pharmaceutical compositions by adding an effective amount of a compound to a suitable pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier. The compounds and methods of the invention may also be useful prophylactically.

The antisense compounds of the present invention are also useful for identifying diseased states associated with diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 expression. The methods include identifying the presence of a nucleic acid encoding diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 in a sample using at least one of the primers comprising SEQ ID NOs: 6 or 7, or the probe comprising SEQ ID NO: 8.

The antisense compounds are further useful for treating or preventing a variety of conditions. Typically, the compounds of the present invention are utilized to ameliorate or lessen the severity of a condition in an animal. The conditions can include cardiovascular disorder, obesity such as diet induced obesity, diabetes, cholesterolemia, and liver steatosis, among others. There are several physical indicia of obesity and include increased fat, among others. The treatment or prevention of a condition using the compounds of the invention can include contacting an animal with an effective amount of a compound of the invention. Preferably, expression of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 is inhibited and the measurement of one or more physical indicia of the condition indicates a lessening of the severity of the condition. Typically, the animal is obese.

The antisense compounds are additionally utilized for lowering certain components of blood from an animal. Typically, the compounds of the invention are useful for lowering serum free fatty acids, serum triglycerides, lowering HDL cholesterol, lowering total serum cholesterol, plasma or serum insulin, or hepatic triglycerides in an animal. Typically, the animal is contacted with an effective amount of a compound of the invention. Preferably, the plasma insulin levels are lowered at about two or four weeks after contacting the animal with a compound of the invention.

The compounds of the invention are also useful in inhibiting the expression of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 in a cell or tissue of an animal. The method includes contacting the cell or tissue with a compound of the invention. Preferably, expression of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 is inhibited in the present method. Typically, the tissue of the animal is white adipose tissue or brown adipose tissue.

The compounds of the invention are further useful in methods for modulating fatty acid synthesis, lipogenesis, or gluconeogenesis, among others, in an animal. Typically, the animal is contacted with a compound of the invention. The modulation of lipogenesis can be determined by a change in the mRNA level of a nucleic acid encoding a lipogenic gene. The lipogenic gene is selected from among glycerol kinase, ATP-citrate lyase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1, acetyl-CoA carboxylase 2, fatty acid synthase, carnitine palmitoyltransferase I, stearoyl-CoA desaturase, HMG-CoA reductase, lipoprotein lipase and sterol regulatory binding element protein 1.

The compounds of the invention are additionally useful for reducing the liver weight of an animal. For this use, the animal is contacted with a compound of the invention. Typically, the animal is obese or diabetic.

F. Modifications

As is known in the art, a nucleoside is a base-sugar combination. The base portion of the nucleoside is normally a heterocyclic base sometimes referred to as a “nucleobase” or simply a “base”. The two most common classes of such heterocyclic bases are the purines and the pyrimidines. Nucleotides are nucleosides that further include a phosphate group covalently linked to the sugar portion of the nucleoside. For those nucleosides that include a pentofuranosyl sugar, the phosphate group can be linked to the 2′, 3′ or 5′ hydroxyl moiety of the sugar. In forming oligonucleotides, the phosphate groups covalently link adjacent nucleosides to one another to form a linear polymeric compound. In turn, the respective ends of this linear polymeric compound can be further joined to form a circular compound, however, linear compounds are generally preferred. In addition, linear compounds may have internal nucleobase complementarity and may therefore fold in a manner as to produce a fully or partially double-stranded compound. Within oligonucleotides, the phosphate groups are commonly referred to as forming the internucleoside backbone of the oligonucleotide. The normal linkage or backbone of RNA and DNA is a 3′ to 5′ phosphodiester linkage.

Modified Internucleoside Linkages (Backbones)

Antisense compounds useful in this invention include oligonucleotides containing modified backbones or non-natural internucleoside linkages. As used herein, and “oligonucleotide mimetic” or “mimetic” refers to any compound of the invention which is modified from the naturally occurring RNA or DNA nucleic acids. As defined herein, oligonucleotides having modified backbones include those that retain a phosphorus atom in the backbone and those that do not have a phosphorus atom in the backbone. For the purposes of this specification, and as sometimes referenced in the art, modified oligonucleotides that do not have a phosphorus atom in their internucleoside backbone can also be considered to be oligonucleosides.

Preferred modified oligonucleotide backbones containing a phosphorus atom therein include, for example, phosphorothioates, chiral phosphorothioates, phosphorodithioates, phosphotriesters, aminoalkyl-phosphotriesters, methyl and other alkyl phosphonates including 3′-alkylene phosphonates, 5′-alkylene phosphonates and chiral phosphonates, phosphinates, phosphoramidates including 3′-amino phosphoramidate and aminoalkylphosphoramidates, thionophosphoramidates, thionoalkylphosphonates, thionoalkylphosphotriesters, selenophosphates and boranophosphates having normal 3′-5′ linkages, 2′-5′ linked analogs of these, and those having inverted polarity wherein one or more internucleotide linkages is a 3′ to 3′, 5′ to 5′ or 2′ to 2′ linkage. Preferred oligonucleotides having inverted polarity comprise a single 3′ to 3′ linkage at the 3′-most internucleotide linkage i.e. a single inverted nucleoside residue which may be abasic (the nucleobase is missing or has a hydroxyl group in place thereof). Various salts, mixed salts and free acid forms are also included.

Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of the above phosphorus-containing linkages include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,687,808; 4,469,863; 4,476,301; 5,023,243; 5,177,196; 5,188,897; 5,264,423; 5,276,019; 5,278,302; 5,286,717; 5,321,131; 5,399,676; 5,405,939; 5,453,496; 5,455,233; 5,466,677; 5,476,925; 5,519,126; 5,536,821; 5,541,306; 5,550,111; 5,563,253; 5,571,799; 5,587,361; 5,194,599; 5,565,555; 5,527,899; 5,721,218; 5,672,697 and 5,625,050, each of which is herein incorporated by reference.

Preferred modified oligonucleotide backbones that do not include a phosphorus atom therein have backbones that are formed by short chain alkyl or cycloalkyl internucleoside linkages, mixed heteroatom and alkyl or cycloalkyl internucleoside linkages, or one or more short chain heteroatomic or heterocyclic internucleoside linkages. These include those having morpholino linkages (formed in part from the sugar portion of a nucleoside); siloxane backbones; sulfide, sulfoxide and sulfone backbones; formacetyl and thioformacetyl backbones; methylene formacetyl and thioformacetyl backbones; riboacetyl backbones; alkene containing backbones; sulfamate backbones; methyleneimino and methylenehydrazino backbones; sulfonate and sulfonamide backbones; amide backbones; and others having mixed N, O, S and CH₂ component parts.

Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of the above oligonucleosides include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,034,506; 5,166,315; 5,185,444; 5,214,134; 5,216,141; 5,235,033; 5,264,562; 5,264,564; 5,405,938; 5,434,257; 5,466,677; 5,470,967; 5,489,677; 5,541,307; 5,561,225; 5,596,086; 5,602,240; 5,610,289; 5,602,240; 5,608,046; 5,610,289; 5,618,704; 5,623,070; 5,663,312; 5,633,360; 5,677,437; 5,792,608; 5,646,269 and 5,677,439, each of which is herein incorporated by reference.

Modified Sugar and Internucleoside Linkages-Mimetics

In other preferred antisense compounds, e.g., oligonucleotide mimetics, both the sugar and the internucleoside linkage (i.e. the backbone) of the nucleotide units are replaced with novel groups. The nucleobase units are maintained for hybridization with an appropriate target nucleic acid. One such oligonucleotide mimetic that has been shown to have excellent hybridization properties, is referred to as a peptide nucleic acid (PNA). In PNA compounds, the sugar-backbone of an oligonucleotide is replaced with an amide containing backbone, in particular an aminoethylglycine backbone. The nucleobases are retained and are bound directly or indirectly to aza nitrogen atoms of the amide portion of the backbone. Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of PNA compounds include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,539,082; 5,714,331; and 5,719,262, each of which is herein incorporated by reference. Further teaching of PNA compounds can be found in Nielsen et al., Science, 1991, 254, 1497-1500.

In certain embodiments of the invention are oligonucleotides with phosphorothioate backbones and oligonucleosides with heteroatom backbones, and in particular —CH₂—NH—O—CH₂—, —CH₂—N(CH₃)—O—CH₂-[known as a methylene (methylimino) or MMI backbone], —CH₂—O—N(CH₃)—CH₂—, —CH₂—N(CH₃)—N(CH₃)—CH₂— and —O—N(CH₃)—CH₂—CH₂— [wherein the native phosphodiester backbone is represented as —O—P—O—CH₂—] of the above referenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,677, and the amide backbones of the above referenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,602,240. Also included are oligonucleotides having morpholino backbone structures of the above-referenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,034,506.

Modified Sugars

Oligonucleotide mimetics may also contain one or more substituted sugar moieties. As such these may comprise one of the following at the 2′ position: OH; F; O—, S—, or N-alkyl; O—, S—, or N-alkenyl; O—, S- or N-alkynyl; or O-alkyl-O-alkyl, wherein the alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl may be substituted or unsubstituted C₁ to C₁₀ alkyl or C₂ to C₁₀ alkenyl and alkynyl. Particularly preferred are O[(CH₂)_(n)O]_(m)CH₃, O(CH₂)_(n)OCH₃, O(CH₂)_(n)NH₂, O(CH₂)_(n)CH₃, O(CH₂)_(n)ONH₂, and O(CH₂)_(n)ON[(CH₂)_(n)CH₃]₂, where n and m are from 1 to about 10. Other oligonucleotide mimetics may comprise one of the following at the 2′ position: C₁ to C₁₀ lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkaryl, aralkyl, O-alkaryl or O-aralkyl, SH, SCH₃, OCN, Cl, Br, CN, CF₃, OCF₃, SOCH₃, SO₂CH₃, ONO₂, NO₂, N₃, NH₂, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkaryl, aminoalkylamino, polyalkylamino, substituted silyl, an RNA cleaving group, a reporter group, an intercalator, a group for improving the pharmacokinetic properties of an oligonucleotide, or a group for improving the pharmacodynamic properties of an oligonucleotide, and other substituents having similar properties. One modification includes 2′-methoxyethoxy(2′-O—CH₂CH₂OCH₃, also known as 2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl) or 2′-O-methoxyethyl or 2′-MOE) (Martin et al., Helv. Chim. Acta, 1995, 78, 486-504) i.e., an alkoxyalkoxy group. A further modification includes 2′-dimethylaminooxyethoxy, i.e., a O(CH₂)₂ON(CH₃)₂ group, also known as 2′-DMAOE, as described in examples hereinbelow, and 2′-dimethylaminoethoxyethoxy (also known in the art as 2′-O-dimethyl-amino-ethoxy-ethyl or 2′-DMAEOE), i.e., 2′-O—CH₂—O—CH₂—N(CH₃)₂, also described in examples hereinbelow.

Other modifications include 2′-methoxy(2′-O—CH₃), 2′-amino (2′-NH₂)₂′-aminopropoxy(2′-OCH₂CH₂CH₂NH₂), (2′-CH₂—CH═CH₂), (2′-O—CH₂—CH═CH₂) and 2′-fluoro (2′-F). The 2′-modification may be in the arabino (up) position or ribo (down) position. One 2′-arabino modification is 2′-F. Similar modifications may also be made at other positions on the oligonucleotide, particularly the 3′ position of the sugar on the 3′ terminal nucleotide or in 2′-5′ linked oligonucleotides and the 5′ position of 5′ terminal nucleotide. Oligonucleotide mimetics involving the sugar, such as cyclobutyl moieties in place of the pentofuranosyl sugar, are also within the scope of the present invention. Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of such modified sugar structures include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,981,957; 5,118,800; 5,319,080; 5,359,044; 5,393,878; 5,446,137; 5,466,786; 5,514,785; 5,519,134; 5,567,811; 5,576,427; 5,591,722; 5,597,909; 5,610,300; 5,627,053; 5,639,873; 5,646,265; 5,658,873; 5,670,633; 5,792,747; and 5,700,920, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

A further modification of the sugar includes Locked Nucleic Acids (LNAs) in which the 2′-hydroxyl group is linked to the 3′ or 4′ carbon atom of the sugar ring, thereby forming a bicyclic sugar moiety. The linkage is preferably a methylene (—CH₂—)_(n) group bridging the 2′ oxygen atom and the 4′ carbon atom wherein n is 1 or 2. However, the present invention comprehends ethylene linkages as well. LNAs and preparation thereof are described in International Patent Publication Nos. WO 98/39352 and WO 99/14226.

Natural and Modified Nucleobases

Oligonucleotide mimetics also include nucleobase (often referred to in the art as heterocyclic base or simply as “base”) modifications or substitutions. As used herein, “unmodified” or “natural” nucleobases include the purine bases adenine (A) and guanine (G), and the pyrimidine bases thymine (T), cytosine (C) and uracil (U). Modified nucleobases include other synthetic and natural nucleobases such as 5-methylcytosine (5-me-C), 5-hydroxymethyl cytosine, xanthine, hypoxanthine, 2-aminoadenine, 6-methyl and other alkyl derivatives of adenine and guanine, 2-propyl and other alkyl derivatives of adenine and guanine, 2-thiouracil, 2-thiothymine and 2-thiocytosine, 5-halouracil and cytosine, 5-propynyl (—C≡C—CH₃) uracil and cytosine and other alkynyl derivatives of pyrimidine bases, 6-azo uracil, cytosine and thymine, 5-uracil (pseudouracil), 4-thiouracil, 8-halo, 8-amino, 8-thiol, 8-thioalkyl, 8-hydroxyl and other 8-substituted adenines and guanines, 5-halo particularly 5-bromo, 5-trifluoromethyl and other 5-substituted uracils and cytosines, 7-methylguanine and 7-methyladenine, 2-F-adenine, 2-amino-adenine, 8-azaguanine and 8-azaadenine, 7-deazaguanine and 7-deazaadenine and 3-deazaguanine and 3-deazaadenine. Further modified nucleobases include tricyclic pyrimidines such as phenoxazine cytidine (1H-pyrimido[5,4-b][1,4]benzoxazin-2(3H)-one), phenothiazine cytidine (1H-pyrimido[5,4-b][1,4]benzothiazin-2(3H)-one), G-clamps such as a substituted phenoxazine cytidine (e.g. 9-(2-aminoethoxy)-H-pyrimido[5,4-b][1,4]benzoxazin-2(3H)-one), carbazole cytidine (2H-pyrimido[4,5-b]indol-2-one), pyridoindole cytidine (H-pyrido[3′,2′:4,5]pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-2-one). Modified nucleobases may also include those in which the purine or pyrimidine base is replaced with other heterocycles, for example 7-deaza-adenine, 7-deazaguanosine, 2-aminopyridine and 2-pyridone. Further nucleobases include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,687,808, those disclosed in The Concise Encyclopedia Of Polymer Science And Engineering, pages 858-859, Kroschwitz, J. I., ed. John Wiley & Sons, 1990, those disclosed by Englisch et al., Angewandte Chemie, International Edition, 1991, 30, 613, and those disclosed by Sanghvi, Y. S., Chapter 15, Antisense Research and Applications, pages 289-302, Crooke, S. T. and Lebleu, B., ed., CRC Press, 1993. Certain of these nucleobases are particularly useful for increasing the binding affinity of the compounds of the invention. These include 5-substituted pyrimidines, 6-azapyrimidines and N-2, N-6 and O-6 substituted purines, including 2-aminopropyladenine, 5-propynyluracil and 5-propynylcytosine. 5-methylcytosine substitutions have been shown to increase nucleic acid duplex stability by 0.6-1.2° C. and are presently preferred base substitutions, even more particularly when combined with 2′-O-methoxyethyl sugar modifications.

Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of certain of the above noted modified nucleobases as well as other modified nucleobases include, but are not limited to, the above noted U.S. Pat. No. 3,687,808, as well as U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,845,205; 5,130,302; 5,134,066; 5,175,273; 5,367,066; 5,432,272; 5,457,187; 5,459,255; 5,484,908; 5,502,177; 5,525,711; 5,552,540; 5,587,469; 5,594,121, 5,596,091; 5,614,617; 5,645,985; 5,830,653; 5,763,588; 6,005,096; 5,681,941; and 5,570,692, each of which is herein incorporated by reference.

Conjugates

Another modification of the antisense compounds of the invention involves chemically linking to the antisense compound one or more moieties or conjugates which enhance the activity, cellular distribution or cellular uptake of the oligonucleotide. These moieties or conjugates can include conjugate groups covalently bound to functional groups such as primary or secondary hydroxyl groups. Conjugate groups of the invention include intercalators, reporter molecules, polyamines, polyamides, polyethylene glycols, polyethers, groups that enhance the pharmacodynamic properties of oligomers, and groups that enhance the pharmacokinetic properties of oligomers. Typical conjugate groups include cholesterol, lipids, phospholipids, biotin, phenazine, folate, phenanthridine, anthraquinone, acridine, fluoresceins, rhodamines, coumarins, and dyes. Groups that enhance the pharmacodynamic properties, in the context of this invention, include groups that improve uptake, enhance resistance to degradation, and/or strengthen sequence-specific hybridization with the target nucleic acid. Groups that enhance the pharmacokinetic properties, in the context of this invention, include groups that improve uptake, distribution, metabolism or excretion of the compounds of the present invention. Representative conjugate groups are disclosed in International Patent Application No. PCT/US92/09196, filed Oct. 23, 1992, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,287,860, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Conjugate moieties include but are not limited to lipid moieties such as a cholesterol moiety, cholic acid, a thioether, e.g., hexyl-5-tritylthiol, a thiocholesterol, an aliphatic chain, e.g., dodecandiol or undecyl residues, a phospholipid, e.g., di-hexadecyl-rac-glycerol or triethylammonium 1,2-di-O-hexadecyl-rac-glycero-3-H-phosphonate, a polyamine or a polyethylene glycol chain, or adamantane acetic acid, a palmityl moiety, or an octadecylamine or hexylamino-carbonyl-oxycholesterol moiety.

Antisense compounds of the invention may also be conjugated to drug substances, for example, aspirin, warfarin, phenylbutazone, ibuprofen, suprofen, fenbufen, ketoprofen, (S)-(+)-pranoprofen, carprofen, dansylsarcosine, 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid, flufenamic acid, folinic acid, a benzothiadiazide, chlorothiazide, a diazepine, indomethicin, a barbiturate, a cephalosporin, a sulfa drug, an antidiabetic, an antibacterial or an antibiotic. Oligonucleotide-drug conjugates and their preparation are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,656,730 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of such oligonucleotide conjugates include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,828,979; 4,948,882; 5,218,105; 5,525,465; 5,541,313; 5,545,730; 5,552,538; 5,578,717, 5,580,731; 5,580,731; 5,591,584; 5,109,124; 5,118,802; 5,138,045; 5,414,077; 5,486,603; 5,512,439; 5,578,718; 5,608,046; 4,587,044; 4,605,735; 4,667,025; 4,762,779; 4,789,737; 4,824,941; 4,835,263; 4,876,335; 4,904,582; 4,958,013; 5,082,830; 5,112,963; 5,214,136; 5,082,830; 5,112,963; 5,214,136; 5,245,022; 5,254,469; 5,258,506; 5,262,536; 5,272,250; 5,292,873; 5,317,098; 5,371,241, 5,391,723; 5,416,203, 5,451,463; 5,510,475; 5,512,667; 5,514,785; 5,565,552; 5,567,810; 5,574,142; 5,585,481; 5,587,371; 5,595,726; 5,597,696; 5,599,923; 5,599,928 and 5,688,941, each of which is herein incorporated by reference.

Oligomeric compounds used in the compositions of the present invention can also be modified to have one or more stabilizing groups that are generally attached to one or both termini of oligomeric compounds to enhance properties such as for example nuclease stability. Included in stabilizing groups are cap structures. By “cap structure or terminal cap moiety” is meant chemical modifications, which have been incorporated at either terminus of oligonucleotides (see for example Wincott et al. and International Patent Publication No. WO 97/26270, incorporated by reference herein). These terminal modifications protect the oligomeric compounds having terminal nucleic acid molecules from exonuclease degradation, and can help in delivery and/or localization within a cell. The cap can be present at the 5′-terminus (5′-cap) or at the 3′-terminus (3′-cap) or at both termini. In non-limiting examples, the 5′-cap includes inverted abasic residue (moiety), 4′,5′-methylene nucleotide; 1-(beta-D-erythrofuranosyl) nucleotide, 4′-thio nucleotide, carbocyclic nucleotide; 1,5-anhydrohexitol nucleotide; L-nucleotides; alpha-nucleotides; modified base nucleotide; phosphorodithioate linkage; threo-pentofuranosyl nucleotide; acyclic 3′,4′-seco nucleotide; acyclic 3,4-dihydroxybutyl nucleotide; acyclic 3,5-dihydroxypentyl ribonucleotide, 3′-3′-inverted nucleotide moiety; 3′-3′-inverted abasic moiety; 3′-2′-inverted nucleotide moiety; 3′-2′-inverted abasic moiety; 1,4-butanediol phosphate; 3′-phosphoramidate; hexylphosphate; aminohexyl phosphate; 3′-phosphate; 3′-phosphorothioate; phosphorodithioate; or bridging or non-bridging methylphosphonate moiety (for more details see Wincott et al., International Patent Publication No. WO 97/26270, incorporated by reference herein).

Particularly preferred 3′-cap structures of the present invention include, for example 4′,5′-methylene nucleotide; 1-(beta-D-erythrofuranosyl) nucleotide; 4′-thio nucleotide, carbocyclic nucleotide; 5′-amino-alkyl phosphate; 1,3-diamino-2-propyl phosphate, 3-aminopropyl phosphate; 6-aminohexyl phosphate; 1,2-aminododecyl phosphate; hydroxypropyl phosphate; 1,5-anhydrohexitol nucleotide; L-nucleotide; alpha-nucleotide; modified base nucleotide; phosphorodithioate; threo-pentofuranosyl nucleotide; acyclic 3′,4′-seco nucleotide; 3,4-dihydroxybutyl nucleotide; 3,5-dihydroxypentyl nucleotide, 5′-5′-inverted nucleotide moiety; 5′-5′-inverted abasic moiety; 5′-phosphoramidate; 5′-phosphorothioate; 1,4-butanediol phosphate; 5′-amino; bridging and/or non-bridging 5′-phosphoramidate, phosphorothioate and/or phosphorodithioate, bridging or non bridging methylphosphonate and 5′-mercapto moieties (for more details see Beaucage and Tyer, 1993, Tetrahedron 49, 1925; incorporated by reference herein).

Further 3′ and 5′-stabilizing groups that can be used to cap one or both ends of an oligomeric compound to impart nuclease stability include those disclosed in International Patent Publication No. WO 03/004602, published Jan. 16, 2003.

Chimeric Compounds

It is not necessary for all positions in a given compound or oligonucleotide mimetic to be uniformly modified, and in fact one or more of the aforementioned modifications may be incorporated in a single compound or even at a single nucleoside within an oligonucleotide.

The present invention also includes antisense compounds or mimetics which are chimeric compounds. “Chimeric” antisense compounds or “chimeras,” in the context of this invention, are antisense compounds, particularly oligonucleotides, which contain at least two chemically distinct regions, each made up of at least one monomer unit, i.e., a nucleotide in the case of an oligonucleotide compound. Chimeric antisense oligonucleotides are thus a form of antisense compound. These oligonucleotides typically contain at least one chemically distinct region wherein the oligonucleotide is modified so as to confer upon the oligonucleotide increased resistance to nuclease degradation, increased cellular uptake, increased stability and/or increased binding affinity for the target nucleic acid. An additional chemically distinct region of the oligonucleotide may serve as a substrate for enzymes capable of cleaving RNA:DNA or RNA:RNA hybrids. By way of example, RNase H is a cellular endonuclease which cleaves the RNA strand of an RNA:DNA duplex. Modifications that activate, recruit or trigger RNase H and result in cleavage of the RNA target thereby greatly enhance the efficiency of oligonucleotide-mediated inhibition of gene expression. The cleavage of RNA:RNA hybrids can, in like fashion, be accomplished through the actions of endoribonucleases such as RnaseL, which cleaves both cellular and viral RNA. Cleavage of the RNA target can be routinely detected by gel electrophoresis and, if necessary, associated nucleic acid hybridization techniques known in the art.

Preferred chimeric oligonucleotides are those disclosed in the Examples herein. Particularly preferred chimeric oligonucleotides are those referred to as SEQ ID NOS: 65, 26, 29, and 35, as well as those chimeric oligonucleotides set forth in Tables 2, 3, 14, and 15 and specified in the Examples below. Preferred siRNAs are those referred to as SEQ ID Nos: 238, 242, 243, 251, and 252, as well as those set forth in Table 11 and specified in the Examples below. Chimeric antisense compounds of the invention may be formed as composite structures of two or more oligonucleotides, modified oligonucleotides, oligonucleosides and/or oligonucleotide mimetics as described above. Chimeric antisense compounds can be of several different types. These include a first type wherein the “gap” segment of linked nucleosides is positioned between 5′ and 3′ “wing” segments of linked nucleosides and a second “open end” type wherein the “gap” segment is located at either the 3′ or the 5′ terminus of the chimeric antisense compound. Compounds of the first type are also known in the art as “gapmers” or gapped oligonucleotides. Compounds of the second type are also known in the art as “hemimers” or “wingmers”. Such compounds have also been referred to in the art as hybrids. In a gapmer that is 20 nucleotides in length, a gap or wing can be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 or 18 nucleotides in length. In one embodiment, a 20-nucleotide gapmer is comprised of a gap 8 nucleotides in length, flanked on both the 5′ and 3′ sides by wings 6 nucleotides in length. In another embodiment, a 20-nucleotide gapmer is comprised of a gap 10 nucleotides in length, flanked on both the 5′ and 3′ sides by wings 5 nucleotides in length. In another embodiment, a 20-nucleotide gapmer is comprised of a gap 12 nucleotides in length flanked on both the 5′ and 3′ sides by wings 4 nucleotides in length. In a further embodiment, a 20-nucleotide gapmer is comprised of a gap 14 nucleotides in length flanked on both the 5′ and 3′ sides by wings 3 nucleotides in length. In another embodiment, a 20-nucleotide gapmer is comprised of a gap 16 nucleotides in length flanked on both the 5′ and 3′ sides by wings 2 nucleotides in length. In a further embodiment, a 20-nucleotide gapmer is comprised of a gap 18 nucleotides in length flanked on both the 5′ and 3′ ends by wings 1 nucleotide in length. Alternatively, the wings are of different lengths, for example, a 20-nucleotide gapmer may be comprised of a gap 10 nucleotides in length, flanked by a 6-nucleotide wing on one side (5′ or 3′) and a 4-nucleotide wing on the other side (5′ or 3′).

In a hemimer, an “open end” chimeric antisense compound having two chemically distinct regions, a first chemically distinct region, or the gap segment, in a compound 20 nucleotides in length can be located at either the 5′ or 3′ terminus of the oligomeric compound, can be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 or 19 nucleotides in length. A second chemically distinct region in a compound 20 nucleotides in length can be located at the 3′ terminus of the compound and can be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 or 19 nucleotides in length. For example, a 20-nucleotide hemimer can have a first chemically distinct region, or a gap segment, of 10 nucleotides at the 5′ end and a second segment of 10 nucleotides at the 3′ end.

Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of such hybrid structures include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,013,830; 5,149,797; 5,220,007; 5,256,775; 5,366,878; 5,403,711; 5,491,133; 5,565,350; 5,623,065; 5,652,355; 5,652,356; and 5,700,922, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

G. Formulations

The compounds of the invention may also be admixed, encapsulated, conjugated or otherwise associated with other molecules, molecule structures or mixtures of compounds, as for example, liposomes, receptor-targeted molecules, oral, rectal, topical or other formulations, for assisting in uptake, distribution and/or absorption. Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of such uptake, distribution and/or absorption-assisting formulations include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,108,921; 5,354,844; 5,416,016; 5,459,127; 5,521,291; 5,543,158; 5,547,932; 5,583,020; 5,591,721; 4,426,330; 4,534,899; 5,013,556; 5,108,921; 5,213,804; 5,227,170; 5,264,221; 5,356,633; 5,395,619; 5,416,016; 5,417,978; 5,462,854; 5,469,854; 5,512,295; 5,527,528; 5,534,259; 5,543,152; 5,556,948; 5,580,575; and 5,595,756, each of which is herein incorporated by reference.

The antisense compounds of the invention encompass any pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, or salts of such esters, or any other compound which, upon administration to an animal, including a human, is capable of providing (directly or indirectly) the biologically active metabolite or residue thereof. Accordingly, for example, the disclosure is also drawn to prodrugs and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of the invention, pharmaceutically acceptable salts of such prodrugs, and other bioequivalents.

The term “prodrug” indicates a therapeutic agent that is prepared in an inactive form that is converted to an active form (i.e., drug) within the body or cells thereof by the action of endogenous enzymes or other chemicals and/or conditions. In particular, prodrug versions of the oligonucleotides of the invention are prepared as SATE [(S-acetyl-2-thioethyl)phosphate] derivatives according to the methods disclosed in International Patent Publication No. WO 93/24510 to Gosselin et al., published Dec. 9, 1993 or in International Patent Publication No. WO 94/26764 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,770,713 to Imbach et al.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salts” refers to physiologically and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of the invention: i.e., salts that retain the desired biological activity of the parent compound and do not impart undesired toxicological effects thereto. For oligonucleotides, preferred examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts and their uses are further described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,287,860, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

Pharmaceutically acceptable base addition salts are formed with metals or amines, such as alkali and alkaline earth metals or organic amines. Examples of metals used as cations are sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and the like. Examples of suitable amines are N,N′-dibenzylethylenediamine, chloroprocaine, choline, diethanolamine, dicyclohexylamine, ethylenediamine, N-methylglucamine, and procaine (see, for example, Berge et al., “Pharmaceutical Salts,” J. of Pharma Sci., 1977, 66, 1-19). The base addition salts of said acidic compounds are prepared by contacting the free acid form with a sufficient amount of the desired base to produce the salt in the conventional manner. The free acid form may be regenerated by contacting the salt form with an acid and isolating the free acid in the conventional manner. The free acid forms differ from their respective salt forms somewhat in certain physical properties such as solubility in polar solvents, but otherwise the salts are equivalent to their respective free acid for purposes of the present invention. As used herein, a “pharmaceutical addition salt” includes a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of an acid form of one of the components of the compositions of the invention. These include organic or inorganic acid salts of the amines. Preferred acid salts are the hydrochlorides, acetates, salicylates, nitrates and phosphates. Other suitable pharmaceutically acceptable salts are well known to those skilled in the art and include basic salts of a variety of inorganic and organic acids, such as, for example, with inorganic acids, such as for example hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid or phosphoric acid; with organic carboxylic, sulfonic, sulfo or phospho acids or N-substituted sulfamic acids, for example acetic acid, propionic acid, glycolic acid, succinic acid, maleic acid, hydroxymaleic acid, methylmaleic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, oxalic acid, gluconic acid, glucaric acid, glucuronic acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, mandelic acid, salicylic acid, 4-aminosalicylic acid, 2-phenoxybenzoic acid, 2-acetoxybenzoic acid, embonic acid, nicotinic acid or isonicotinic acid; and with amino acids, such as the 20 alpha-amino acids involved in the synthesis of proteins in nature, for example glutamic acid or aspartic acid, and also with phenylacetic acid, methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonic acid, ethane-1,2-disulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, 4-methylbenzenesulfonic acid, naphthalene-2-sulfonic acid, naphthalene-1,5-disulfonic acid, 2- or 3-phosphoglycerate, glucose-6-phosphate, N-cyclohexylsulfamic acid (with the formation of cyclamates), or with other acid organic compounds, such as ascorbic acid. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of compounds may also be prepared with a pharmaceutically acceptable cation. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable cations are well known to those skilled in the art and include alkaline, alkaline earth, ammonium and quaternary ammonium cations. Carbonates or hydrogen carbonates are also possible.

For oligonucleotides, preferred examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts include but are not limited to (a) salts formed with cations such as sodium, potassium, ammonium, magnesium, calcium, polyamines such as spermine and spermidine, etc.; (b) acid addition salts formed with inorganic acids, for example hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid and the like; (c) salts formed with organic acids such as, for example, acetic acid, oxalic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, citric acid, malic acid, ascorbic acid, benzoic acid, tannic acid, palmitic acid, alginic acid, polyglutamic acid, naphthalenesulfonic acid, methanesulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, naphthalenedisulfonic acid, polygalacturonic acid, and the like; and (d) salts formed from elemental anions such as chlorine, bromine, and iodine.

The present invention also includes pharmaceutical compositions and formulations which include the antisense compounds of the invention. The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be administered in a number of ways depending upon whether local or systemic treatment is desired and upon the area to be treated. Administration may be topical (including ophthalmic and to mucous membranes including vaginal and rectal delivery), pulmonary, e.g., by inhalation or insufflation of powders or aerosols, including by nebulizer; intratracheal, intranasal, epidermal and transdermal), oral or parenteral. Parenteral administration includes intravenous, intraarterial, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal or intramuscular injection or infusion; or intracranial, e.g., intrathecal or intraventricular, administration. Oligonucleotides with at least one 2′-O-methoxyethyl modification are believed to be particularly useful for oral administration.

Pharmaceutical compositions and formulations for topical administration may include transdermal patches, ointments, lotions, creams, gels, drops, suppositories, sprays, liquids and powders. Conventional pharmaceutical carriers, aqueous, powder or oily bases, thickeners and the like may be necessary or desirable. Coated condoms, gloves and the like may also be useful.

Preferred topical formulations include those in which the oligonucleotides of the invention are in admixture with a topical delivery agent such as lipids, liposomes, fatty acids, fatty acid esters, steroids, chelating agents and surfactants. Preferred lipids and liposomes include neutral (e.g. dioleoylphosphatidyl DOPE ethanolamine, dimyristoylphosphatidyl choline DMPC, distearolyphosphatidyl choline) negative (e.g. dimyristoylphosphatidyl glycerol DMPG) and cationic (e.g. dioleoyltetramethylaminopropyl DOTAP and dioleoylphosphatidyl ethanolamine DOTMA). Oligonucleotides of the invention may be encapsulated within liposomes or may form complexes thereto, in particular to cationic liposomes. Alternatively, oligonucleotides may be complexed to lipids, in particular to cationic lipids. Preferred fatty acids and esters include but are not limited arachidonic acid, oleic acid, eicosanoic acid, lauric acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, dicaprate, tricaprate, monoolein, dilaurin, glyceryl 1-monocaprate, 1-dodecylazacycloheptan-2-one, an acylcarnitine, an acylcholine, or a C₁₋₁₀ alkyl ester (e.g. isopropylmyristate IPM), monoglyceride, diglyceride or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Topical formulations are described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,747,014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide may be administered to a subject via an oral route of administration. The subjects of the present invention comprise animals. An animal subject may be a mammal, such as a mouse, a rat, a dog, a guinea pig, a human, a non-human primate, a cat or a pig. Non-human primates include monkeys and chimpanzees. A suitable animal subject may be an experimental animal, such as a mouse, a rat, a dog, a non-human primate, a cat or a pig.

In some embodiments, the subject may be a human. In certain embodiments, the subject may be a human patient as discussed in more detail herein. In certain embodiments, it may be necessary to modulate the expression of one or more genes of the human patient. In some particular embodiments, it may be necessary to inhibit expression of one or more genes of the human patient. In particular embodiments, it may be necessary to modulate, i.e. inhibit or enhance, diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 in order to obtain therapeutic outcomes discussed herein.

In some embodiments, non-parenteral (e.g. oral) oligonucleotide formulations according to the present invention result in enhanced bioavailability of the oligonucleotide. In this context, the term “bioavailability” refers to a measurement of that portion of an administered drug which reaches the circulatory system (e.g. blood, especially blood plasma) when a particular mode of administration is used to deliver the drug Enhanced bioavailability refers to a particular mode of administration's ability to deliver oligonucleotide to the peripheral blood plasma of a subject relative to another mode of administration. For example, when a non-parenteral mode of administration (e.g. an oral mode) is used to introduce the drug into a subject, the bioavailability for that mode of administration may be compared to a different mode of administration, e.g. an IV mode of administration. In some embodiments, the area under a compound's blood plasma concentration curve (AUC₀) after non-parenteral administration may be divided by the area under the drug's plasma concentration curve after intravenous (i.v.) administration (AUC_(iv)) to provide a dimensionless quotient (relative bioavailability, RB) that represents fraction of compound absorbed via the non-parenteral route as compared to the IV route. A composition's bioavailability is said to be enhanced in comparison to another composition's bioavailability when the first composition's relative bioavailability (RB₁) is greater than the second composition's relative bioavailability (RB₂).

In general, bioavailability correlates with therapeutic efficacy when a compound's therapeutic efficacy is related to the blood concentration achieved, even if the drug's ultimate site of action is intracellular (van Berge-Henegouwen et al., Gastroenterol., 1977, 73, 300). Bioavailability studies have been used to determine the degree of intestinal absorption of a drug by measuring the change in peripheral blood levels of the drug after an oral dose (DiSanto, Chapter 76 In: Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th Ed., Gennaro, ed., Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., 1990, pages 1451-1458).

In general, the bioavailability of an oral composition (comprising an oligonucleotide) is said to be “enhanced” when its relative bioavailability is greater than the bioavailability of a composition substantially consisting of pure oligonucleotide, i.e. oligonucleotide in the absence of a penetration enhancer.

Organ bioavailability refers to the concentration of compound in an organ. Organ bioavailability may be measured in test subjects by a number of means, such as by whole-body radiography. Organ bioavailability may be modified, e.g. enhanced, by one or more modifications to the oligonucleotide, by use of one or more carrier compounds or excipients, etc. as discussed in more detail herein. In general, an increase in bioavailability will result in an increase in organ bioavailability.

Oral oligonucleotide compositions according to the present invention may comprise one or more “mucosal penetration enhancers,” also known as “absorption enhancers” or simply as “penetration enhancers.” Accordingly, some embodiments of the invention comprise at least one oligonucleotide in combination with at least one penetration enhancer. In general, a penetration enhancer is a substance that facilitates the transport of a drug across mucous membrane(s) associated with the desired mode of administration, e.g. intestinal epithelial membranes. Accordingly it is desirable to select one or more penetration enhancers that facilitate the uptake of an oligonucleotide, without interfering with the activity of the oligonucleotide, and in such a manner the oligonucleotide can be introduced into the body of an animal without unacceptable degrees of side-effects such as toxicity, irritation or allergic response.

Embodiments of the present invention provide compositions comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable penetration enhancers, and methods of using such compositions, which result in the improved bioavailability of oligonucleotides administered via non-parenteral modes of administration. Heretofore, certain penetration enhancers have been used to improve the bioavailability of certain drugs. See Muranishi, Crit. Rev. Ther. Drug Carrier Systems, 1990, 7, 1 and Lee et al., Crit. Rev. Ther. Drug Carrier Systems, 1991, 8, 91. It has been found that the uptake and delivery of oligonucleotides can be greatly improved even when administered by non-parenteral means through the use of a number of different classes of penetration enhancers.

In some embodiments, compositions for non-parenteral administration include one or more modifications to naturally-occurring oligonucleotides (i.e. full-phosphodiester deoxyribosyl or full-phosphodiester ribosyl oligonucleotides). Such modifications may increase binding affinity, nuclease stability, cell or tissue permeability, tissue distribution, or other biological or pharmacokinetic property. Modifications may be made to the base, the linker, or the sugar, in general, as discussed in more detail herein with regards to oligonucleotide chemistry. In some embodiments of the invention, compositions for administration to a subject, and in particular oral compositions for administration to an animal (human or non-human) subject, will comprise modified oligonucleotides having one or more modifications for enhancing affinity, stability, tissue distribution, or other biological property.

Suitable modified linkers include phosphorothioate linkers. In some embodiments according to the invention, the oligonucleotide has at least one phosphorothioate linker. Phosphorothioate linkers provide nuclease stability as well as plasma protein binding characteristics to the oligonucleotide. Nuclease stability is useful for increasing the in vivo lifetime of oligonucleotides, while plasma protein binding decreases the rate of first pass clearance of oligonucleotide via renal excretion. In some embodiments according to the present invention, the oligonucleotide has at least two phosphorothioate linkers. In some embodiments, wherein the oligonucleotide has exactly n nucleosides, the oligonucleotide has from one to n−1 phosphorothioate linkages. In some embodiments, wherein the oligonucleotide has exactly n nucleosides, the oligonucleotide has n−1 phosphorothioate linkages. In other embodiments wherein the oligonucleotide has exactly n nucleoside, and n is even, the oligonucleotide has from 1 to n/2 phosphorothioate linkages, or, when n is odd, from 1 to (n−1)/2 phosphorothioate linkages. In some embodiments, the oligonucleotide has alternating phosphodiester (PO) and phosphorothioate (PS) linkages. In other embodiments, the oligonucleotide has at least one stretch of two or more consecutive PO linkages and at least one stretch of two or more PS linkages. In other embodiments, the oligonucleotide has at least two stretches of PO linkages interrupted by at least one PS linkage.

In some embodiments, at least one of the nucleosides is modified on the ribosyl sugar unit by a modification that imparts nuclease stability, binding affinity or some other beneficial biological property to the sugar. In some cases, the sugar modification includes a 2′-modification, e.g. the 2′-OH of the ribosyl sugar is replaced or substituted. Suitable replacements for 2′-OH include 2′-F and 2′-arabino-F. Suitable substitutions for OH include 2′-O-alkyl, e.g. 2-O-methyl, and 2′-O-substituted alkyl, e.g. 2′-O-methoxyethyl, 2′-NH₂, 2′-O-aminopropyl, etc. In some embodiments, the oligonucleotide contains at least one 2′-modification. In some embodiments, the oligonucleotide contains at least two 2′-modifications. In some embodiments, the oligonucleotide has at least one 2′-modification at each of the termini (i.e. the 3′- and 5′-terminal nucleosides each have the same or different 2′-modifications). In some embodiments, the oligonucleotide has at least two sequential 2′-modifications at each end of the oligonucleotide. In some embodiments, oligonucleotides further comprise at least one deoxynucleoside. In particular embodiments, oligonucleotides comprise a stretch of deoxynucleosides such that the stretch is capable of activating RNase (e.g. RNase H) cleavage of an RNA to which the oligonucleotide is capable of hybridizing. In some embodiments, a stretch of deoxynucleosides capable of activating RNase-mediated cleavage of RNA comprises about 6 to about 16, e.g. about 8 to about 16 consecutive deoxynucleosides. In further embodiments, oligonucleotides are capable of eliciting cleavage by dsRNAse enzymes which act on RNA:RNA hybrids.

Oligonucleotide compositions of the present invention may be formulated in various dosage forms such as, but not limited to, tablets, capsules, liquid syrups, soft gels, suppositories, and enemas. The term “alimentary delivery” encompasses e.g. oral, rectal, endoscopic and sublingual/buccal administration. A common requirement for these modes of administration is absorption over some portion or all of the alimentary tract and a need for efficient mucosal penetration of the oligonucleotides or mimetics thereof so administered.

Delivery of a drug via the oral mucosa, as in the case of buccal and sublingual administration, has several desirable features, including, in many instances, a more rapid rise in plasma concentration of the drug (Harvey, Chapter 35 In: Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th Ed., Gennaro, ed., Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., 1990, page 711).

Endoscopy may be used for drug delivery directly to an interior portion of the alimentary tract. For example, endoscopic retrograde cystopancreatography (ERCP) takes advantage of extended gastroscopy and permits selective access to the biliary tract and the pancreatic duct (Hirahata et al., Gan To Kagaku Ryoho, 1992, 19(10 Suppl.), 1591). Pharmaceutical compositions, including liposomal formulations, can be delivered directly into portions of the alimentary canal, such as, e.g., the duodenum (Somogyi et al., Pharm. Res., 1995, 12, 149) or the gastric submucosa (Akamo et al., Japanese J. Cancer Res., 1994, 85, 652) via endoscopic means. Gastric lavage devices (Inoue et al., Artif. Organs, 1997, 21, 28) and percutaneous endoscopic feeding devices (Pennington et al., Ailment Pharmacol. Ther., 1995, 9, 471) can also be used for direct alimentary delivery of pharmaceutical compositions.

In some embodiments, oligonucleotide formulations may be administered through the anus into the rectum or lower intestine. Rectal suppositories, retention enemas or rectal catheters can be used for this purpose and may be preferred when patient compliance might otherwise be difficult to achieve (e.g., in pediatric and geriatric applications, or when the patient is vomiting or unconscious). Rectal administration can result in more prompt and higher blood levels than the oral route. (Harvey, Chapter 35 In: Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th Ed., Gennaro, ed., Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., 1990, page 711). Because about 50% of the drug that is absorbed from the rectum will likely bypass the liver, administration by this route significantly reduces the potential for first-pass metabolism (Benet et al., Chapter 1 In: Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th Ed., Hardman et al., eds., McGraw-Hill, New York, N.Y., 1996).

Some embodiments employ various penetration enhancers in order to effect transport of oligonucleotides and other nucleic acids across mucosal and epithelial membranes. Penetration enhancers may be classified as belonging to one of five broad categories—surfactants, fatty acids, bile salts, chelating agents, and non-chelating non-surfactants (Lee et al., Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1991, p. 92). Accordingly, some embodiments comprise oral oligonucleotide compositions comprising at least one member of the group consisting of surfactants, fatty acids, bile salts, chelating agents, and non-chelating surfactants. Further embodiments comprise oral oligonucleotide compositions comprising at least one fatty acid, e.g. capric or lauric acid, or combinations or salts thereof. Other embodiments comprise methods of enhancing the oral bioavailability of an oligonucleotide, the method comprising co-administering the oligonucleotide and at least one penetration enhancer.

Other excipients that may be added to oral oligonucleotide compositions include surfactants (or “surface-active agents”). These are chemical entities which, when dissolved in an aqueous solution, reduce the surface tension of the solution or the interfacial tension between the aqueous solution and another liquid, with the result that absorption of oligonucleotides through the alimentary mucosa and other epithelial membranes is enhanced. In addition to bile salts and fatty acids, surfactants include, for example, sodium lauryl sulfate, polyoxyethylene-9-lauryl ether and polyoxyethylene-20-cetyl ether (Lee et al., Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1991, page 92); and perfluorohemical emulsions, such as FC-43 (Takahashi et al., J. Pharm. Phamacol., 1988, 40, 252).

Fatty acids and their derivatives which act as penetration enhancers and may be used in compositions of the present invention include, for example, oleic acid, lauric acid, capric acid (n-decanoic acid), myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, dicaprate, tricaprate, monoolein (1-monooleoyl-rac-glycerol), dilaurin, caprylic acid, arachidonic acid, glyceryl 1-monocaprate, 1-dodecylazacycloheptan-2-one, acylcarnitines, acylcholines and mono- and di-glycerides thereof and/or physiologically acceptable salts thereof (i.e., oleate, laurate, caprate, myristate, palmitate, stearate, linoleate, etc.) (Lee et al., Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1991, page 92; Muranishi, Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1990, 7, 1; El-Hariri et al., J. Pharm. Pharmacol., 1992, 44, 651).

A variety of bile salts also function as penetration enhancers to facilitate the uptake and bioavailability of drugs. The physiological roles of bile include the facilitation of dispersion and absorption of lipids and fat-soluble vitamins (Brunton, Chapter 38 In: Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th Ed., Hardman et al., eds., McGraw-Hill, New York, N.Y., 1996, pages 934-935). Various natural bile salts, and their synthetic derivatives, act as penetration enhancers. Thus, the term “bile salt” includes any of the naturally occurring components of bile as well as any of their synthetic derivatives. The bile salts of the invention include, for example, cholic acid (or its pharmaceutically acceptable sodium salt, sodium cholate), dehydrocholic acid (sodium dehydrocholate), deoxycholic acid (sodium deoxycholate), glucholic acid (sodium glucholate), glycholic acid (sodium glycocholate), glycodeoxycholic acid (sodium glycodeoxycholate), taurocholic acid (sodium taurocholate), taurodeoxycholic acid (sodium taurodeoxycholate), chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA, sodium chenodeoxycholate), ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), sodium tauro-24,25-dihydro-fusidate (STDHF), sodium glycodihydrofusidate and polyoxyethylene-9-lauryl ether (POE) (Lee et al., Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1991, page 92; Swinyard, Chapter 39 In: Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th Ed., Gennaro, ed., Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., 1990, pages 782-783; Muranishi, Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1990, 7, 1; Yamamoto et al., J. Pharm. Exp. Ther., 1992, 263, 25; Yamashita et al., J. Pharm. Sci., 1990, 79, 579).

In some embodiments, penetration enhancers of the present invention are mixtures of penetration enhancing compounds. One such penetration mixture is UDCA (and/or CDCA) with capric and/or lauric acids or salts thereof e.g. sodium. Such mixtures are useful for enhancing the delivery of biologically active substances across mucosal membranes, in particular intestinal mucosa. Other penetration enhancer mixtures comprise about 5-95% of bile acid or salt(s) UDCA and/or CDCA with 5-95% capric and/or lauric acid. Particular penetration enhancers are mixtures of the sodium salts of UDCA, capric acid and lauric acid in a ratio of about 1:2:2 respectively. Another such penetration enhancer is a mixture of capric and lauric acid (or salts thereof) in a 0.01:1 to 1:0.01 ratio (mole basis). In particular embodiments capric acid and lauric acid are present in molar ratios of e.g. about 0.1:1 to about 1:0.1, in particular about 0.5:1 to about 1:0.5.

Other excipients include chelating agents, i.e. compounds that remove metallic ions from solution by forming complexes therewith, with the result that absorption of oligonucleotides through the alimentary and other mucosa is enhanced. With regards to their use as penetration enhancers in compositions containing DNA-like oligonucleotides of the present invention, chelating agents have the added advantage of also serving as DNase inhibitors, as most characterized DNA nucleases require a divalent metal ion for catalysis and are thus inhibited by chelating agents (Jarrett, J. Chromatogr., 1993, 618, 315). Chelating agents of the invention include, but are not limited to, disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA), citric acid, salicylates (e.g., sodium salicylate, 5-methoxysalicylate and homovanilate), N-acyl derivatives of collagen, laureth-9 and N-amino acyl derivatives of beta-diketones (enamines)(Lee et al., Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1991, page 92; Muranishi, Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1990, 7, 1; Buur et al., J. Control Rel., 1990, 14, 43).

As used herein, non-chelating non-surfactant penetration enhancers may be defined as compounds that demonstrate insignificant activity as chelating agents or as surfactants but that nonetheless enhance absorption of oligonucleotides through the alimentary and other mucosal membranes (Muranishi, Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1990, 7, 1). This class of penetration enhancers includes, but is not limited to, unsaturated cyclic ureas, 1-alkyl- and 1-alkenylazacyclo-alkanone derivatives (Lee et al., Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1991, page 92); and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents such as diclofenac sodium, indomethacin and phenylbutazone (Yamashita et al., J. Pharm. Pharmacol., 1987, 39, 621).

In some embodiments, oligonucleotide compositions for oral delivery comprise at least two discrete phases, which phases may comprise particles, capsules, gel-capsules, microspheres, etc. Each phase may contain one or more oligonucleotides, penetration enhancers, surfactants, bioadhesives, effervescent agents, or other adjuvant, excipient or diluent. In some embodiments, one phase comprises at least one oligonucleotide and at least one penetration enhancer. In some embodiments, a first phase comprises at least one oligonucleotide and at least one penetration enhancer, while a second phase comprises at least one penetration enhancer. In some embodiments, a first phase comprises at least one oligonucleotide and at least one penetration enhancer, while a second phase comprises at least one penetration enhancer and substantially no oligonucleotide. In some embodiments, at least one phase is compounded with at least one degradation retardant, such as a coating or a matrix, which delays release of the contents of that phase. In some embodiments, a first phase comprises at least one oligonucleotide and at least one penetration enhancer, while a second phase comprises at least one penetration enhancer and a release-retardant. In particular embodiments, an oral oligonucleotide composition comprises a first phase comprising particles containing an oligonucleotide and a penetration enhancer, and a second phase comprising particles coated with a release-retarding agent and containing penetration enhancer.

Agents that enhance uptake of oligonucleotides at the cellular level may also be added to the pharmaceutical, therapeutic and other compositions of the present invention. For example, cationic lipids, such as LIPOFECTIN™ reagent (Junichi et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,705,188), cationic glycerol derivatives, and polycationic molecules, such as polylysine (Lollo et al., International Patent Publication No. WO 97/30731), can be used.

A “pharmaceutical carrier” or “excipient” may be a pharmaceutically acceptable solvent, suspending agent or any other pharmacologically inert vehicle for delivering one or more nucleic acids to an animal. The excipient may be liquid or solid and is selected, with the planned manner of administration in mind, so as to provide for the desired bulk, consistency, etc., when combined with a an oligonucleotide and the other components of a given pharmaceutical composition. Typical pharmaceutical carriers include, but are not limited to, binding agents (e.g., pregelatinised maize starch, polyvinylpyrrolidone or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, etc.); fillers (e.g., lactose and other sugars, microcrystalline cellulose, pectin, gelatin, calcium sulfate, ethyl cellulose, polyacrylates or calcium hydrogen phosphate, etc.); lubricants (e.g., magnesium stearate, talc, silica, colloidal silicon dioxide, stearic acid, metallic stearates, hydrogenated vegetable oils, corn starch, polyethylene glycols, sodium benzoate, sodium acetate, etc.); disintegrants (e.g., starch, sodium starch glycolate, EXPLOTAB™); and wetting agents (e.g., sodium lauryl sulphate, etc.).

Oral oligonucleotide compositions may additionally contain other adjunct components conventionally found in pharmaceutical compositions, at their art-established usage levels. Thus, for example, the compositions may contain additional, compatible, pharmaceutically-active materials such as, for example, antipruritics, astringents, local anesthetics or anti-inflammatory agents, or may contain additional materials useful in physically formulating various dosage forms of the composition of present invention, such as dyes, flavoring agents, preservatives, antioxidants, opacifiers, thickening agents and stabilizers. However, such materials, when added, should not unduly interfere with the biological activities of the components of the compositions of the present invention.

Compositions and formulations for parenteral, intrathecal or intraventricular administration may include sterile aqueous solutions which may also contain buffers, diluents and other suitable additives such as, but not limited to, penetration enhancers, carrier compounds and other pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients.

The pharmaceutical formulations of the present invention, which may conveniently be presented in unit dosage form, may be prepared according to conventional techniques well known in the pharmaceutical industry. Such techniques include the step of bringing into association the active ingredients with the pharmaceutical carrier(s) or excipient(s). In general, the formulations are prepared by uniformly and intimately bringing into association the active ingredients with liquid carriers or finely divided solid carriers or both, and then, if necessary, shaping the product.

The compositions of the present invention may be formulated into any of many possible dosage forms such as, but not limited to, tablets, capsules, gel capsules, liquid syrups, soft gels, suppositories, and enemas. The compositions of the present invention may also be formulated as suspensions in aqueous, non-aqueous or mixed media. Aqueous suspensions may further contain substances which increase the viscosity of the suspension including, for example, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, sorbitol and/or dextran. The suspension may also contain stabilizers.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention include, but are not limited to, foams, solutions, emulsions, and liposome-containing formulations. These compositions may be generated from a variety of components that include, but are not limited to, preformed liquids, self-emulsifying solids and self-emulsifying semisolids. The pharmaceutical compositions and formulations of the present invention may comprise one or more penetration enhancers, carriers, excipients or other active or inactive ingredients.

In one embodiment of the present invention the pharmaceutical compositions may be formulated and used as foams. Pharmaceutical foams include formulations such as, but not limited to, emulsions, microemulsions, creams, jellies and liposomes. While basically similar in nature these formulations vary in the components and the consistency of the final product. The preparation of such compositions and formulations is generally known to those skilled in the pharmaceutical and formulation arts and may be applied to the formulation of the compositions of the present invention.

The compounds of the present invention may be prepared and formulated as emulsions. Emulsions are typically heterogeneous systems of one liquid dispersed in another in the form of droplets usually exceeding 0.1 μm in diameter (Idson, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 199; Rosoff, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., Volume 1, p. 245; Block in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 2, p. 335; Higuchi et al., in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., 1985, p. 301). Emulsions are often biphasic systems comprising of two immiscible liquid phases intimately mixed and dispersed with each other. In general, emulsions may be either water-in-oil (w/o) or of the oil-in-water (o/w) variety. When an aqueous phase is finely divided into and dispersed as minute droplets into a bulk oily phase the resulting composition is called a water-in-oil (w/o) emulsion. Alternatively, when an oily phase is finely divided into and dispersed as minute droplets into a bulk aqueous phase the resulting composition is called an oil-in-water (o/w) emulsion. Emulsions may contain additional components in addition to the dispersed phases and the active drug which may be present as a solution in either the aqueous phase, oily phase or itself as a separate phase. Pharmaceutical excipients such as emulsifiers, stabilizers, dyes, and anti-oxidants may also be present in emulsions as needed. Pharmaceutical emulsions may also be multiple emulsions that are comprised of more than two phases such as, for example, in the case of oil-in-water-in-oil (o/w/o) and water-in-oil-in-water (w/o/w) emulsions. Such complex formulations often provide certain advantages that simple binary emulsions do not. Multiple emulsions in which individual oil droplets of an o/w emulsion enclose small water droplets constitute a w/o/w emulsion. Likewise a system of oil droplets enclosed in globules of water stabilized in an oily continuous provides an o/w/o emulsion.

Often, the dispersed or discontinuous phase of the emulsion is well dispersed into the external or continuous phase and maintained in this form through the means of emulsifiers or the viscosity of the formulation. Either of the phases of the emulsion may be a semisolid or a solid, as is the case of emulsion-style ointment bases and creams. Other means of stabilizing emulsions entail the use of emulsifiers that may be incorporated into either phase of the emulsion. Emulsifiers may broadly be classified into four categories: synthetic surfactants, naturally occurring emulsifiers, absorption bases, and finely dispersed solids (Idson, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 199).

Synthetic surfactants, also known as surface active agents, have found wide applicability in the formulation of emulsions and have been reviewed in the literature (Rieger, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 285; Idson, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., 1988, volume 1, p. 199). Surfactants are typically amphiphilic and comprise a hydrophilic and a hydrophobic portion. The ratio of the hydrophilic to the hydrophobic nature of the surfactant has been termed the hydrophile/lipophile balance (HLB) and is a valuable tool in categorizing and selecting surfactants in the preparation of formulations. Surfactants may be classified into different classes based on the nature of the hydrophilic group: nonionic, anionic, cationic and amphoteric (Rieger, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 285).

Naturally occurring emulsifiers used in emulsion formulations include lanolin, beeswax, phosphatides, lecithin and acacia. Absorption bases possess hydrophilic properties such that they can soak up water to form w/o emulsions yet retain their semisolid consistencies, such as anhydrous lanolin and hydrophilic petrolatum. Finely divided solids have also been used as good emulsifiers especially in combination with surfactants and in viscous preparations. These include polar inorganic solids, such as heavy metal hydroxides, nonswelling clays such as bentonite, attapulgite, hectorite, kaolin, montmorillonite, colloidal aluminum silicate and colloidal magnesium aluminum silicate, pigments and nonpolar solids such as carbon or glyceryl tristearate.

A large variety of non-emulsifying materials are also included in emulsion formulations and contribute to the properties of emulsions. These include fats, oils, waxes, fatty acids, fatty alcohols, fatty esters, humectants, hydrophilic colloids, preservatives and antioxidants (Block, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 335; Idson, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 199).

Hydrophilic colloids or hydrocolloids include naturally occurring gums and synthetic polymers such as polysaccharides (for example, acacia, agar, alginic acid, carrageenan, guar gum, karaya gum, and tragacanth), cellulose derivatives (for example, carboxymethylcellulose and carboxypropylcellulose), and synthetic polymers (for example, carbomers, cellulose ethers, and carboxyvinyl polymers). These disperse or swell in water to form colloidal solutions that stabilize emulsions by forming strong interfacial films around the dispersed-phase droplets and by increasing the viscosity of the external phase.

Since emulsions often contain a number of ingredients such as carbohydrates, proteins, sterols and phosphatides that may readily support the growth of microbes, these formulations often incorporate preservatives. Commonly used preservatives included in emulsion formulations include methyl paraben, propyl paraben, quaternary ammonium salts, benzalkonium chloride, esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and boric acid. Antioxidants are also commonly added to emulsion formulations to prevent deterioration of the formulation. Antioxidants used may be free radical scavengers such as tocopherols, alkyl gallates, butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, or reducing agents such as ascorbic acid and sodium metabisulfite, and antioxidant synergists such as citric acid, tartaric acid, and lecithin.

The application of emulsion formulations via dermatological, oral and parenteral routes and methods for their manufacture have been reviewed in the literature (Idson, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 199). Emulsion formulations for oral delivery have been very widely used because of reasons of ease of formulation, efficacy from an absorption and bioavailability standpoint. (Rosoff, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 245; Idson, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 199). Mineral-oil base laxatives, oil-soluble vitamins and high fat nutritive preparations are among the materials that have commonly been administered orally as o/w emulsions.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the compositions of oligonucleotides are formulated as microemulsions. A microemulsion may be defined as a system of water, oil and amphiphile which is a single optically isotropic and thermodynamically stable liquid solution (Rosoff, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 245). Typically microemulsions are systems that are prepared by first dispersing an oil in an aqueous surfactant solution and then adding a sufficient amount of a fourth component, generally an intermediate chain-length alcohol to form a transparent system. Therefore, microemulsions have also been described as thermodynamically stable, isotropically clear dispersions of two immiscible liquids that are stabilized by interfacial films of surface-active molecules (Leung and Shah, in: Controlled Release of Drugs: Polymers and Aggregate Systems, Rosoff, M., Ed., 1989, VCH Publishers, New York, pages 185-215). Microemulsions commonly are prepared via a combination of three to five components that include oil, water, surfactant, cosurfactant and electrolyte. Whether the microemulsion is of the water-in-oil (w/o) or an oil-in-water (o/w) type is dependent on the properties of the oil and surfactant used and on the structure and geometric packing of the polar heads and hydrocarbon tails of the surfactant molecules (Schott, in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., 1985, p. 271).

The phenomenological approach utilizing phase diagrams has been extensively studied and has yielded a comprehensive knowledge, to one skilled in the art, of how to formulate microemulsions (Rosoff, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 245; Block, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 335). Compared to conventional emulsions, microemulsions offer the advantage of solubilizing water-insoluble drugs in a formulation of thermodynamically stable droplets that are formed spontaneously.

Surfactants used in the preparation of microemulsions include, but are not limited to, ionic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, Brij 96, polyoxyethylene oleyl ethers, polyglycerol fatty acid esters, tetraglycerol monolaurate (ML310), tetraglycerol monooleate (MO310), hexaglycerol monooleate (PO310), hexaglycerol pentaoleate (PO500), decaglycerol monocaprate (MCA750), decaglycerol monooleate (MO750), decaglycerol sequioleate (SO750), decaglycerol decaoleate (DAO750), alone or in combination with cosurfactants. The cosurfactant, usually a short-chain alcohol such as ethanol, 1-propanol, and 1-butanol, serves to increase the interfacial fluidity by penetrating into the surfactant film and consequently creating a disordered film because of the void space generated among surfactant molecules. Microemulsions may, however, be prepared without the use of cosurfactants and alcohol-free self-emulsifying microemulsion systems are known in the art. The aqueous phase may typically be, but is not limited to, water, an aqueous solution of the drug, glycerol, PEG300, PEG400, polyglycerols, propylene glycols, and derivatives of ethylene glycol. The oil phase may include, but is not limited to, materials such as Captex 300, Captex 355, Capmul MCM, fatty acid esters, medium chain (C8-C12) mono, di, and tri-glycerides, polyoxyethylated glyceryl fatty acid esters, fatty alcohols, polyglycolized glycerides, saturated polyglycolized C8-C10 glycerides, vegetable oils and silicone oil.

Microemulsions are particularly of interest from the standpoint of drug solubilization and the enhanced absorption of drugs. Lipid based microemulsions (both o/w and w/o) have been proposed to enhance the oral bioavailability of drugs, including peptides (Constantinides et al., Pharmaceutical Research, 1994, 11, 1385-1390; Ritschel, Meth. Find. Exp. Clin. Pharmacol., 1993, 13, 205). Microemulsions afford advantages of improved drug solubilization, protection of drug from enzymatic hydrolysis, possible enhancement of drug absorption due to surfactant-induced alterations in membrane fluidity and permeability, ease of preparation, ease of oral administration over solid dosage forms, improved clinical potency, and decreased toxicity (Constantinides et al., Pharmaceutical Research, 1994, 11, 1385; Ho et al., J. Pharm. Sci., 1996, 85, 138-143). Often microemulsions may form spontaneously when their components are brought together at ambient temperature. This may be particularly advantageous when formulating thermolabile drugs, peptides or oligonucleotides. Microemulsions have also been effective in the transdermal delivery of active components in both cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications. It is expected that the microemulsion compositions and formulations of the present invention will facilitate the increased systemic absorption of oligonucleotides from the gastrointestinal tract, as well as improve the local cellular uptake of oligonucleotides within the gastrointestinal tract, vagina, buccal cavity and other areas of administration.

Microemulsions of the present invention may also contain additional components and additives such as sorbitan monostearate (Grill 3), Labrasol, and penetration enhancers to improve the properties of the formulation and to enhance the absorption of the oligonucleotides and nucleic acids of the present invention. Penetration enhancers used in the microemulsions of the present invention may be classified as belonging to one of five broad categories described herein.

There are many organized surfactant structures besides microemulsions that have been studied and used in the formulation of drugs. These include monolayers, micelles, bilayers and vesicles. Vesicles, such as liposomes, have attracted great interest because of their specificity and the duration of action they offer from the standpoint of drug delivery.

Formulations of the present invention include liposomal formulations. As used in the present invention, the term “liposome” means a vesicle composed of amphiphilic lipids arranged in a spherical bilayer or bilayers. Liposomes are unilamellar or multilamellar vesicles which have a membrane formed from a lipophilic material and an aqueous interior that contains the composition to be delivered.

In order to cross intact mammalian skin, lipid vesicles must pass through a series of fine pores, each with a diameter less than 50 nm, under the influence of a suitable transdermal gradient. Therefore, it is desirable to use a liposome which is highly deformable and able to pass through such fine pores.

Further advantages of liposomes include: liposomes obtained from natural phospholipids are biocompatible and biodegradable; liposomes can incorporate a wide range of water and lipid soluble drugs; and liposomes can protect encapsulated drugs in their internal compartments from metabolism and degradation (Rosoff, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 245). Important considerations in the preparation of liposome formulations are the lipid surface charge, vesicle size and the aqueous volume of the liposomes.

Liposomes are useful for the transfer and delivery of active ingredients to the site of action. Because the liposomal membrane is structurally similar to biological membranes, when liposomes are applied to a tissue, the liposomes start to merge with the cellular membranes. As the merging of the liposome and cell progresses, the liposomal contents are emptied into the cell where the active agent may act.

Liposomal formulations have been the focus of extensive investigation as the mode of delivery for many drugs. There is growing evidence that for topical administration, liposomes present several advantages over other formulations. Such advantages include reduced side-effects related to high systemic absorption of the administered drug, increased accumulation of the administered drug at the desired target, and the ability to administer a wide variety of drugs, both hydrophilic and hydrophobic, into the skin.

Several reports have detailed the ability of liposomes to deliver agents including high-molecular weight DNA into the skin. Compounds including analgesics, antibodies, hormones and high-molecular weight DNAs have been administered to the skin. The majority of applications resulted in the targeting of the upper epidermis.

Liposomes fall into two broad classes, cationic and non-cationic, both of which are useful for the delivery of DNA, RNA or any nucleic acid-based construct into cells. Cationic liposomes are positively charged liposomes which interact with negatively charged DNA molecules to form a stable complex. The positively charged DNA/liposome complex binds to the negatively charged cell surface and is internalized in an endosome. Due to the acidic pH within the endosome, the liposomes are ruptured, releasing their contents into the cell cytoplasm (Wang et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 1987, 147, 980-985).

Liposomes which are pH-sensitive or negatively-charged, also known as non-cationic liposomes, entrap DNA rather than complex with it. Since both the DNA and the lipid are similarly charged, repulsion rather than complex formation occurs. Nevertheless, some DNA is entrapped within the aqueous interior of these liposomes. pH-sensitive liposomes have been used to deliver DNA encoding the thymidine kinase gene to cell monolayers in culture. Expression of the exogenous gene was detected in the target cells (Zhou et al., Journal of Controlled Release, 1992, 19, 269-274).

One major type of liposomal composition includes phospholipids other than naturally-derived phosphatidylcholine. Neutral liposome compositions, for example, can be formed from dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (DMPC) or dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC). Anionic liposome compositions generally are formed from dimyristoyl phosphatidylglycerol, while anionic fusogenic liposomes are formed primarily from dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE). Another type of liposomal composition is formed from phosphatidylcholine (PC) such as, for example, soybean PC, and egg PC. Another type is formed from mixtures of phospholipid and/or phosphatidylcholine and/or cholesterol.

Several studies have assessed the topical delivery of liposomal drug formulations to the skin. Application of liposomes containing interferon to guinea pig skin resulted in a reduction of skin herpes sores while delivery of interferon via other means (e.g. as a solution or as an emulsion) were ineffective (Weiner et al., Journal of Drug Targeting, 1992, 2, 405-410). Further, an additional study tested the efficacy of interferon administered as part of a liposomal formulation to the administration of interferon using an aqueous system, and concluded that the liposomal formulation was superior to aqueous administration (du Plessis et al., Antiviral Research, 1992, 18, 259-265).

Non-ionic liposomal systems have also been examined to determine their utility in the delivery of drugs to the skin, in particular systems comprising non-ionic surfactant and cholesterol. Non-ionic liposomal formulations comprising the Novasome™ I (glyceryl dilaurate/cholesterol/polyoxyethylene-10-stearyl ether) and Novasome™ II (glyceryl distearate/cholesterol/polyoxyethylene-10-stearyl ether) reagents were used to deliver cyclosporin-A into the dermis of mouse skin. Results indicated that such non-ionic liposomal systems were effective in facilitating the deposition of cyclosporin-A into different layers of the skin (Hu et al. S.T.P. Pharma. Sci., 1994, 4, 6, 466).

Liposomes also include “sterically stabilized” liposomes, a term which, as used herein, refers to liposomes comprising one or more specialized lipids that, when incorporated into liposomes, result in enhanced circulation lifetimes relative to liposomes lacking such specialized lipids. Examples of sterically stabilized liposomes are those in which part of the vesicle-forming lipid portion of the liposome (A) comprises one or more glycolipids, such as monosialoganglioside G_(M1), or (B) is derivatized with one or more hydrophilic polymers, such as a polyethylene glycol (PEG) moiety. While not wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is thought in the art that, at least for sterically stabilized liposomes containing gangliosides, sphingomyelin, or PEG-derivatized lipids, the enhanced circulation half-life of these sterically stabilized liposomes derives from a reduced uptake into cells of the reticuloendothelial system (RES) (Allen et al., FEBS Letters, 1987, 223, 42; Wu et al., Cancer Research, 1993, 53, 3765). Liposomes and their uses are further described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,287,860, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

Various liposomes comprising one or more glycolipids are known in the art. Papahadjopoulos et al. (Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 1987, 507, 64) reported the ability of monosialoganglioside G_(M1), galactocerebroside sulfate and phosphatidylinositol to improve blood half-lives of liposomes. These findings were expounded upon by Gabizon et al. (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA., 1988, 85, 6949). U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,028 and WO 88/04924, both to Allen et al., disclose liposomes comprising (1) sphingomyelin and (2) the ganglioside G_(M1) or a galactocerebroside sulfate ester. U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,152 (Webb et al.) discloses liposomes comprising sphingomyelin. Liposomes comprising 1,2-sn-dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine are disclosed in WO 97/13499 (Lim et al.).

Many liposomes comprising lipids derivatized with one or more hydrophilic polymers, and methods of preparation thereof, are known in the art. Sunamoto et al. (Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn., 1980, 53, 2778) described liposomes comprising a nonionic detergent, 2C₁₂15G, that contains a PEG moiety. Illum et al. (FEBS Lett., 1984, 167, 79) noted that hydrophilic coating of polystyrene particles with polymeric glycols results in significantly enhanced blood half-lives. Synthetic phospholipids modified by the attachment of carboxylic groups of polyalkylene glycols (e.g., PEG) are described by Sears (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,426,330 and 4,534,899). Klibanov et al. (FEBS Lett., 1990, 268, 235) described experiments demonstrating that liposomes comprising phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) derivatized with PEG or PEG stearate have significant increases in blood circulation half-lives. Blume et al. (Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 1990, 1029, 91) extended such observations to other PEG-derivatized phospholipids, e.g., DSPE-PEG, formed from the combination of distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DSPE) and PEG. Liposomes having covalently bound PEG moieties on their external surface are described in European Patent No. EP 0 445 131 B1 and WO 90/04384 to Fisher. Liposome compositions containing 1-20 mole percent of PE derivatized with PEG, and methods of use thereof, are described by Woodle et al. (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,013,556 and 5,356,633) and Martin et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,213,804 and European Patent No. EP 0 496 813 B1). Liposomes comprising a number of other lipid-polymer conjugates are disclosed in WO 91/05545 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,212 (both to Martin et al.) and in WO 94/20073 (Zalipsky et al.) Liposomes comprising PEG-modified ceramide lipids are described in WO 96/10391 (Choi et al.). U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,935 (Miyazaki et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,556,948 (Tagawa et al.) describe PEG-containing liposomes that can be further derivatized with functional moieties on their surfaces.

International Patent Publication No. WO 96/40062 to Thierry et al. refers to methods for encapsulating high molecular weight nucleic acids in liposomes. U.S. Pat. No. 5,264,221 to Tagawa et al. refers to protein-bonded liposomes and asserts that the contents of such liposomes may include an antisense RNA. U.S. Pat. No. 5,665,710 to Rahman et al. refers to certain methods of encapsulating oligodeoxynucleotides in liposomes. International Patent Publication No. WO 97/04787 to Love et al. refers to liposomes comprising antisense oligonucleotides targeted to the raf gene.

Transfersomes are yet another type of liposome, and are highly deformable lipid aggregates which are attractive candidates for drug delivery vehicles. Transfersomes may be described as lipid droplets which are so highly deformable that they are easily able to penetrate through pores which are smaller than the droplet. Transfersomes are adaptable to the environment in which they are used, e.g. they are self-optimizing (adaptive to the shape of pores in the skin), self-repairing, frequently reach their targets without fragmenting, and often self-loading. To make transfersomes it is possible to add surface edge-activators, usually surfactants, to a standard liposomal composition. Transfersomes have been used to deliver serum albumin to the skin. The transfersome-mediated delivery of serum albumin has been shown to be as effective as subcutaneous injection of a solution containing serum albumin.

Surfactants find wide application in formulations such as emulsions (including microemulsions) and liposomes. The most common way of classifying and ranking the properties of the many different types of surfactants, both natural and synthetic, is by the use of the hydrophile/lipophile balance (HLB). The nature of the hydrophilic group (also known as the “head”) provides the most useful means for categorizing the different surfactants used in formulations (Rieger, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., 1988, p. 285).

If the surfactant molecule is not ionized, it is classified as a nonionic surfactant. Nonionic surfactants find wide application in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products and are usable over a wide range of pH values. In general their HLB values range from 2 to about 18 depending on their structure. Nonionic surfactants include nonionic esters such as ethylene glycol esters, propylene glycol esters, glyceryl esters, polyglyceryl esters, sorbitan esters, sucrose esters, and ethoxylated esters. Nonionic alkanolamides and ethers such as fatty alcohol ethoxylates, propoxylated alcohols, and ethoxylated/propoxylated block polymers are also included in this class. The polyoxyethylene surfactants are the most popular members of the nonionic surfactant class.

If the surfactant molecule carries a negative charge when it is dissolved or dispersed in water, the surfactant is classified as anionic. Anionic surfactants include carboxylates such as soaps, acyl lactylates, acyl amides of amino acids, esters of sulfuric acid such as alkyl sulfates and ethoxylated alkyl sulfates, sulfonates such as alkyl benzene sulfonates, acyl isethionates, acyl taurates and sulfosuccinates, and phosphates. The most important members of the anionic surfactant class are the alkyl sulfates and the soaps.

If the surfactant molecule carries a positive charge when it is dissolved or dispersed in water, the surfactant is classified as cationic. Cationic surfactants include quaternary ammonium salts and ethoxylated amines. The quaternary ammonium salts are the most used members of this class.

If the surfactant molecule has the ability to carry either a positive or negative charge, the surfactant is classified as amphoteric. Amphoteric surfactants include acrylic acid derivatives, substituted alkylamides, N-alkylbetaines and phosphatides.

The use of surfactants in drug products, formulations and in emulsions has been reviewed (Rieger, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., 1988, p. 285).

In one embodiment, the present invention employs various penetration enhancers to effect the efficient delivery of nucleic acids, particularly oligonucleotides, to the skin of animals. Most drugs are present in solution in both ionized and nonionized forms. However, usually only lipid soluble or lipophilic drugs readily cross cell membranes. It has been discovered that even non-lipophilic drugs may cross cell membranes if the membrane to be crossed is treated with a penetration enhancer. In addition to aiding the diffusion of non-lipophilic drugs across cell membranes, penetration enhancers also enhance the permeability of lipophilic drugs.

Other agents may be utilized to enhance the penetration of the administered nucleic acids, including glycols such as ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, pyrrols such as 2-pyrrol, azones, and terpenes such as limonene and menthone.

The pharmaceutical formulations and compositions of the present invention may also include surfactants. The use of surfactants in drug products, formulations and in emulsions is well known in the art. Surfactants and their uses are further described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,287,860, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

One of skill in the art will recognize that formulations are routinely designed according to their intended use, i.e., route of administration.

Preferred formulations for topical administration include those in which the oligonucleotides of the invention are in admixture with a topical delivery agent such as lipids, liposomes, fatty acids, fatty acid esters, steroids, chelating agents and surfactants. Preferred lipids and liposomes include neutral (e.g. dioleoylphosphatidyl DOPE ethanolamine, dimyristoylphosphatidyl choline DMPC, distearolyphosphatidyl choline) negative (e.g. dimyristoylphosphatidyl glycerol DMPG) and cationic (e.g. dioleoyltetramethylaminopropyl DOTAP and dioleoylphosphatidyl ethanolamine DOTMA).

For topical or other administration, oligonucleotides of the invention may be encapsulated within liposomes or may form complexes thereto, in particular to cationic liposomes. Alternatively, oligonucleotides may be complexed to lipids, in particular to cationic lipids. Preferred fatty acids and esters, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and their uses are further described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,287,860, which is incorporated herein in its entirety Topical formulations are described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,747,014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Compositions and formulations for oral administration include powders or granules, microparticulates, nanoparticulates, suspensions or solutions in water or non-aqueous media, capsules, gel capsules, sachets, tablets or minitablets. Thickeners, flavoring agents, diluents, emulsifiers, dispersing aids or binders may be desirable. Preferred oral formulations are those in which oligonucleotides of the invention are administered in conjunction with one or more penetration enhancers surfactants and chelators. Preferred surfactants include fatty acids and/or esters or salts thereof, bile acids and/or salts thereof. Preferred bile acids/salts and fatty acids and their uses are further described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,287,860, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. Also preferred are combinations of penetration enhancers, for example, fatty acids/salts in combination with bile acids/salts. A particularly preferred combination is the sodium salt of lauric acid, capric acid and UDCA. Further penetration enhancers include polyoxyethylene-9-lauryl ether, polyoxyethylene-20-cetyl ether. Oligonucleotides of the invention may be delivered orally, in granular form including sprayed dried particles, or complexed to form micro or nanoparticles. Oligonucleotide complexing agents and their uses are further described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,287,860, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. Oral formulations for oligonucleotides and their preparation are described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,747,014; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0027780 (Feb. 6, 2003) and its parent applications; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/082,624 (filed May 21, 1998), each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Compositions and formulations for parenteral, intrathecal or intraventricular administration may include sterile aqueous solutions which may also contain buffers, diluents and other suitable additives such as, but not limited to, penetration enhancers, carrier compounds and other pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients.

Oligonucleotides may be formulated for delivery in vivo in an acceptable dosage form, e.g. as parenteral or non-parenteral formulations. Parenteral formulations include intravenous (IV), subcutaneous (SC), intraperitoneal (IP), intravitreal and intramuscular (IM) formulations, as well as formulations for delivery via pulmonary inhalation, intranasal administration, topical administration, etc. Non-parenteral formulations include formulations for delivery via the alimentary canal, e.g. oral administration, rectal administration, intrajejunal instillation, etc. Rectal administration includes administration as an enema or a suppository. Oral administration includes administration as a capsule, a gel capsule, a pill, an elixir, etc.

The compounds of the present invention may also be administered by pulsatile delivery. “Pulsatile delivery” refers to a pharmaceutical formulation that delivers a first pulse of drug (e.g. an antisense compound) combined with a penetration enhancer and a second pulse of penetration enhancer to promote absorption of drug which is not absorbed upon release with the first pulse of penetration enhancer.

One embodiment of the present invention is a delayed release oral formulation for enhanced intestinal drug absorption, comprising:

(a) a first population of carrier particles comprising said drug and a penetration enhancer, wherein said drug and said penetration enhancer are released at a first location in the intestine; and

(b) a second population of carrier particles comprising a penetration enhancer and a delayed release coating or matrix, wherein the penetration enhancer is released at a second location in the intestine downstream from the first location, whereby absorption of the drug is enhanced when the drug reaches the second location.

Alternatively, the penetration enhancer in (a) and (b) is different. This enhancement is obtained by encapsulating at least two populations of carrier particles. The first population of carrier particles comprises a biologically active substance and a penetration enhancer, and the second (and optionally additional) population of carrier particles comprises a penetration enhancer and a delayed release coating or matrix.

A “first pass effect” that applies to orally administered drugs is degradation due to the action of gastric acid and various digestive enzymes. One means of ameliorating first pass clearance effects is to increase the dose of administered drug, thereby compensating for proportion of drug lost to first pass clearance. This may be readily achieved with i.v. administration by, for example, simply providing more of the drug to an animal. However, other factors influence the bioavailability of drugs administered via non-parenteral means. For example, a drug may be enzymatically or chemically degraded in the alimentary canal or blood stream and/or may be impermeable or semipermeable to various mucosal membranes.

These pharmaceutical compositions are capable of enhancing absorption of biologically active substances when administered via the rectal, vaginal, nasal or pulmonary routes. Release of the biologically active substance can be achieved in any part of the gastrointestinal tract.

Liquid pharmaceutical compositions of oligonucleotide can be prepared by combining the oligonucleotide with a suitable vehicle, for example sterile pyrogen free water, or saline solution. Other therapeutic compounds may optionally be included.

The present invention also contemplates the use of solid particulate compositions. Such compositions preferably comprise particles of oligonucleotide that are of respirable size. Such particles can be prepared by, for example, grinding dry oligonucleotide by conventional means, fore example with a mortar and pestle, and then passing the resulting powder composition through a 400 mesh screen to segregate large particles and agglomerates. A solid particulate composition comprised of an active oligonucleotide can optionally contain a dispersant which serves to facilitate the formation of an aerosol, for example lactose.

In accordance with the present invention, oligonucleotide compositions can be aerosolized. Aerosolization of liquid particles can be produced by any suitable means, such as with a nebulizer. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,501,729. Nebulizers are commercially available devices which transform solutions or suspensions into a therapeutic aerosol mist either by means of acceleration of a compressed gas, typically air or oxygen, through a narrow venturi orifice or by means of ultrasonic agitation. Suitable nebulizers include those sold by Blairex® under the name PARI LC PLUS, PARI DURA-NEB 2000, PARI-BABY Size, PARI PRONEB Compressor with LC PLUS, PARI WALKHALER Compressor/Nebulizer System, PARI LC PLUS Reusable Nebulizer, and PARI LC Jet+®Nebulizer.

Formulations for use in nebulizers may consist of an oligonucleotide in a liquid, such as sterile, pyragen free water, or saline solution, wherein the oligonucleotide comprises up to about 40% w/w of the formulation. Preferably, the oligonucleotide comprises less than 20% w/w. If desired, further additives such as preservatives (for example, methyl hydroxybenzoate) antioxidants, and flavoring agents can be added to the composition.

Solid particles comprising an oligonucleotide can also be aerosolized using any solid particulate medicament aerosol generator known in the art. Such aerosol generators produce respirable particles, as described above, and further produce reproducible metered dose per unit volume of aerosol. Suitable solid particulate aerosol generators include insufflators and metered dose inhalers. Metered dose inhalers are used in the art and are useful in the present invention. Preferably, liquid or solid aerosols are produced at a rate of from about 10 to 150 liters per minute, more preferably from about 30 to 150 liters per minute, and most preferably about 60 liters per minute.

Enhanced bioavailability of biologically active substances is also achieved via the oral administration of the compositions and methods of the present invention.

The compositions of the present invention may additionally contain other adjunct components conventionally found in pharmaceutical compositions, at their art-established usage levels. Thus, for example, the compositions may contain additional, compatible, pharmaceutically-active materials such as, for example, antipruritics, astringents, local anesthetics or anti-inflammatory agents, or may contain additional materials useful in physically formulating various dosage forms of the compositions of the present invention, such as dyes, flavoring agents, preservatives, antioxidants, opacifiers, thickening agents and stabilizers. However, such materials, when added, should not unduly interfere with the biological activities of the components of the compositions of the present invention. The formulations can be sterilized and, if desired, mixed with auxiliary agents, e.g., lubricants, preservatives, stabilizers, wetting agents, emulsifiers, salts for influencing osmotic pressure, buffers, colorings, flavorings and/or aromatic substances and the like which do not deleteriously interact with the nucleic acid(s) of the formulation.

Aqueous suspensions may contain substances which increase the viscosity of the suspension including, for example, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, sorbitol and/or dextran. The suspension may also contain stabilizers.

Certain embodiments of the invention provide pharmaceutical compositions containing one or more oligomeric compounds and one or more other chemotherapeutic agents which function by a non-antisense mechanism. Examples of such chemotherapeutic agents include but are not limited to cancer chemotherapeutic drugs such as daunorubicin, daunomycin, dactinomycin, doxorubicin, epirubicin, idarubicin, esorubicin, bleomycin, mafosfamide, ifosfamide, cytosine arabinoside, bis-chloroethylnitrosurea, busulfan, mitomycin C, actinomycin D, mithramycin, prednisone, hydroxyprogesterone, testosterone, tamoxifen, dacarbazine, procarbazine, hexamethylmelamine, pentamethylmelamine, mitoxantrone, amsacrine, chlorambucil, methylcyclohexylnitrosurea, nitrogen mustards, melphalan, cyclophosphamide, 6-mercaptopurine, 6-thioguanine, cytarabine, 5-azacytidine, hydroxyurea, deoxycoformycin, 4-hydroxyperoxycyclophosphoramide, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), 5-fluorodeoxyuridine (5-FUdR), methotrexate (MTX), colchicine, taxol, vincristine, vinblastine, etoposide (VP-16), trimetrexate, irinotecan, topotecan, gemcitabine, teniposide, cisplatin and diethylstilbestrol (DES). When used with the compounds of the invention, such chemotherapeutic agents may be used individually (e.g., 5-FU and oligonucleotide), sequentially (e.g., 5-FU and oligonucleotide for a period of time followed by MTX and oligonucleotide), or in combination with one or more other such chemotherapeutic agents (e.g., 5-FU, MTX and oligonucleotide, or 5-FU, radiotherapy and oligonucleotide). Anti-inflammatory drugs, including but not limited to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids, and antiviral drugs, including but not limited to ribivirin, vidarabine, acyclovir and ganciclovir, may also be combined in compositions of the invention. Combinations of antisense compounds and other non-antisense drugs are also within the scope of this invention. Two or more combined compounds may be used together or sequentially.

In another related embodiment, compositions of the invention may contain one or more antisense compounds, particularly oligonucleotides, targeted to a first nucleic acid and one or more additional antisense compounds targeted to a second nucleic acid target. Alternatively, compositions of the invention may contain two or more antisense compounds targeted to different regions of the same nucleic acid target. Numerous examples of antisense compounds are known in the art. Two or more combined compounds may be used together or sequentially.

H. Dosing

The formulation of therapeutic compositions and their subsequent administration (dosing) is believed to be within the skill of those in the art. Dosing is dependent on severity and responsiveness of the disease state to be treated, with the course of treatment lasting from several days to several months, or until a cure is effected or a diminution of the disease state is achieved. Optimal dosing schedules can be calculated from measurements of drug accumulation in the body of the patient. Persons of ordinary skill can easily determine optimum dosages, dosing methodologies and repetition rates. Optimum dosages may vary depending on the relative potency of individual oligonucleotides, and can generally be estimated based on EC₅₀s found to be effective in in vitro and in vivo animal models. In general, dosage is from 0.01 μg to 100 g per kg of body weight, from 0.1 μg to 10 g per kg of body weight, from 1.0 μg to 1 g per kg of body weight, from 10.0 μg to 100 mg per kg of body weight, from 100 μg to 10 mg per kg of body weight, or from 1 mg to 5 mg per kg of body weight, and may be given once or more daily, weekly, monthly or yearly, or even once every 2 to 20 years. Persons of ordinary skill in the art can easily estimate repetition rates for dosing based on measured residence times and concentrations of the drug in bodily fluids or tissues. Following successful treatment, it may be desirable to have the patient undergo maintenance therapy to prevent the recurrence of the disease state, wherein the oligonucleotide is administered in maintenance doses, ranging from 0.01 ug to 100 g per kg of body weight, once or more daily, to once every 20 years.

The effects of treatments with therapeutic compositions can be assessed following collection of tissues or fluids from a patient or subject receiving said treatments. It is known in the art that a biopsy sample can be procured from certain tissues without resulting in detrimental effects to a patient or subject. In certain embodiments, a tissue and its constituent cells comprise, but are not limited to, blood (e.g., hematopoietic cells, such as human hematopoietic progenitor cells, human hematopoietic stem cells, CD34⁺ cells CD4⁺ cells), lymphocytes and other blood lineage cells, bone marrow, breast, cervix, colon, esophagus, lymph node, muscle, peripheral blood, oral mucosa and skin. In other embodiments, a fluid and its constituent cells comprise, but are not limited to, blood, urine, semen, synovial fluid, lymphatic fluid and cerebro-spinal fluid. Tissues or fluids procured from patients can be evaluated for expression levels of the target mRNA or protein. Additionally, the mRNA or protein expression levels of other genes known or suspected to be associated with the specific disease state, condition or phenotype can be assessed. mRNA levels can be measured or evaluated by real-time PCR, Northern blot, in situ hybridization or DNA array analysis. Protein levels can be measured or evaluated by ELISA, immunoblotting, quantitative protein assays, protein activity assays (for example, caspase activity assays) immunohistochemistry or immunocytochemistry. Furthermore, the effects of treatment can be assessed by measuring biomarkers associated with the disease or condition in the aforementioned tissues and fluids, collected from a patient or subject receiving treatment, by routine clinical methods known in the art. These biomarkers include but are not limited to: glucose, cholesterol, lipoproteins, triglycerides, free fatty acids and other markers of glucose and lipid metabolism; lipoprotein(a) or Lp(a) or apolipoprotein B; liver transaminases, bilirubin, albumin, blood urea nitrogen, creatine and other markers of kidney and liver function; interleukins, tumor necrosis factors, intracellular adhesion molecules, C-reactive protein and other markers of inflammation; testosterone, estrogen and other hormones; tumor markers; vitamins, minerals and electrolytes.

While the present invention has been described with specificity in accordance with certain of its preferred embodiments, the following examples serve only to illustrate the invention and are not intended to limit the same. Each of the references, GENBANK® accession numbers, and the like recited in the present application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Synthesis of Nucleoside Phosphoramidites

The following compounds, including amidites and their intermediates were prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,426,220 and International Patent Publication No. WO 02/36743; 5′-O-Dimethoxytrityl-thymidine intermediate for 5-methyl dC amidite, 5′-O-Dimethoxytrityl-2′-deoxy-5-methylcytidine intermediate for 5-methyl-dC amidite, 5′-O-Dimethoxytrityl-2′-deoxy-N4-benzoyl-5-methylcytidine penultimate intermediate for 5-methyl dC amidite, [5′-O-(4,4′-Dimethoxytriphenylmethyl)-2′-deoxy-N⁴-benzoyl-5-methylcytidin-3′-O-yl]-2-cyanoethyl-N,N-diisopropylphosphoramidite (5-methyl dC amidite), 2′-Fluorodeoxyadenosine, 2′-Fluorodeoxyguanosine, 2′-Fluorouridine, 2′-Fluorodeoxycytidine, 2′-O-(2-Methoxyethyl) modified amidites, 2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl)-5-methyluridine intermediate, 5′-O-DMT-2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl)-5-methyluridine penultimate intermediate, [5′-O-(4,4′-Dimethoxytriphenylmethyl)-2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl)-5-methyluridin-3′-O-yl]-2-cyanoethyl-N,N-diisopropylphosphoramidite (MOE T amidite), 5′-O-Dimethoxytrityl-2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl)-5-methylcytidine intermediate, 5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl)-N⁴-benzoyl-5-methyl-cytidine penultimate intermediate, [5′-O-(4,4′-Dimethoxytriphenylmethyl)-2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl)-N⁴-benzoyl-5-methylcytidin-3′-O-yl]-2-cyanoethyl-N,N-diisopropylphosphoramidite (MOE 5-Me-C amidite), [5′-O-(4,4′-Dimethoxytriphenylmethyl)-2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl)-N⁶-benzoyladenosin-3′-O-yl]-2-cyanoethyl-N,N-diisopropylphosphoramidite (MOE A amidite), [5′-O-(4,4′-Dimethoxytriphenylmethyl)-2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl)-N⁴-isobutyrylguanosin-3′-O-yl]-2-cyanoethyl-N,N-diisopropylphosphoramidite (MOE G amidite), 2′-O-(Aminooxyethyl) nucleoside amidites and 2′-O-(dimethylaminooxyethyl) nucleoside amidites, 2′-(Dimethylaminooxyethoxy) nucleoside amidites, 5′-O-tert-Butyldiphenylsilyl-O²-2′-anhydro-5-methyluridine, 5′-O-tert-Butyldiphenylsilyl-2′-O-(2-hydroxyethyl)-5-methyluridine, 2′-O-([2-phthalimidoxy)ethyl]-5′-t-butyldiphenylsilyl-5-methyluridine, 5′-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-2′-O-([2-formadoximinooxy)ethyl]-5-methyluridine, 5′-O-tert-Butyldiphenylsilyl-2′-O—[N,N dimethylaminooxyethyl]-5-methyluridine, 2′-O-(dimethylaminooxyethyl)-5-methyluridine, 5′-O-DMT-2′-O-(dimethylaminooxyethyl)-5-methyluridine, 5′-O-DMT-2′-O-(2-N,N-dimethylaminooxyethyl)-5-methyluridine-3′-[(2-cyanoethyl)-N,N-diisopropylphosphoramidite], 2′-(Aminooxyethoxy) nucleoside amidites, N2-isobutyryl-6-O-diphenylcarbamoyl-2′-O-(2-ethylacetyl)-5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl)guanosine-3′-[(2-cyanoethyl)-N,N-diisopropylphosphoramidite], 2′-dimethylaminoethoxyethoxy(2′-DMAEOE) nucleoside amidites, 2′-O-[2(2-N,N-dimethylaminoethoxy)ethyl]-5-methyl uridine, 5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-2′-O-[2(2-N,N-dimethylaminoethoxy)-ethyl)]-5-methyl uridine and 5′-O-Dimethoxytrityl-2′-O-[2(2-N,N-dimethylaminoethoxy)-ethyl)]-5-methyl uridine-3′-O-(cyanoethyl-N,N-diisopropyl)phosphoramidite.

Example 2 Oligonucleotide and Oligonucleoside Synthesis

The antisense compounds used in accordance with this invention may be conveniently and routinely made through the well-known technique of solid phase synthesis. Equipment for such synthesis is sold by several vendors including, for example, Applied Biosystems (Foster City, Calif.). Any other means for such synthesis known in the art may additionally or alternatively be employed. It is well known to use similar techniques to prepare oligonucleotides such as the phosphorothioates and alkylated derivatives.

Oligonucleotides: Unsubstituted and substituted phosphodiester (P═O) oligonucleotides are synthesized on an automated DNA synthesizer (Applied Biosystems model 394) using standard phosphoramidite chemistry with oxidation by iodine.

Phosphorothioates (P═S) are synthesized similar to phosphodiester oligonucleotides with the following exceptions: thiation was effected by utilizing a 10% w/v solution of 3,H-1,2-benzodithiole-3-one 1,1-dioxide in acetonitrile for the oxidation of the phosphite linkages. The thiation reaction step time was increased to 180 sec and preceded by the normal capping step. After cleavage from the CPG column and deblocking in concentrated ammonium hydroxide at 55° C. (12-16 hr), the oligonucleotides were recovered by precipitating with >3 volumes of ethanol from a 1 M NH₄OAc solution. Phosphinate oligonucleotides are prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,508,270, herein incorporated by reference.

Alkyl phosphonate oligonucleotides are prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,469,863, herein incorporated by reference.

3′-Deoxy-3′-methylene phosphonate oligonucleotides are prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,610,289 or 5,625,050, herein incorporated by reference.

Phosphoramidite oligonucleotides are prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,256,775 or 5,366,878, herein incorporated by reference.

Alkylphosphonothioate oligonucleotides are prepared as described in International Patent Application Nos. PCT/US94/00902 and PCT/US93/06976 (published as International Patent Publication Nos. WO 94/17093 and WO 94/02499, respectively), herein incorporated by reference.

3′-Deoxy-3′-amino phosphoramidate oligonucleotides are prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,925, herein incorporated by reference.

Phosphotriester oligonucleotides are prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,243, herein incorporated by reference.

Borano phosphate oligonucleotides are prepared as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,130,302 and 5,177,198, both herein incorporated by reference.

Oligonucleosides: Methylenemethylimino linked oligonucleosides, also identified as MMI linked oligonucleosides, methylenedimethylhydrazo linked oligonucleosides, also identified as MDH linked oligonucleosides, and methylenecarbonylamino linked oligonucleosides, also identified as amide-3 linked oligonucleosides, and methyleneaminocarbonyl linked oligonucleosides, also identified as amide-4 linked oligonucleosides, as well as mixed backbone compounds having, for instance, alternating MMI and P═O or P═S linkages are prepared as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,378,825, 5,386,023, 5,489,677, 5,602,240 and 5,610,289, all of which are herein incorporated by reference.

Formacetal and thioformacetal linked oligonucleosides are prepared as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,264,562 and 5,264,564, herein incorporated by reference.

Ethylene oxide linked oligonucleosides are prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,618, herein incorporated by reference.

Example 3 RNA Synthesis

In general, RNA synthesis chemistry is based on the selective incorporation of various protecting groups at strategic intermediary reactions. Although one of ordinary skill in the art will understand the use of protecting groups in organic synthesis, a useful class of protecting groups includes silyl ethers. In particular bulky silyl ethers are used to protect the 5′-hydroxyl in combination with an acid-labile orthoester protecting group on the 2′-hydroxyl. This set of protecting groups is then used with standard solid-phase synthesis technology. It is important to lastly remove the acid labile orthoester protecting group after all other synthetic steps. Moreover, the early use of the silyl protecting groups during synthesis ensures facile removal when desired, without undesired deprotection of 2′ hydroxyl.

Following this procedure for the sequential protection of the 5′-hydroxyl in combination with protection of the 2′-hydroxyl by protecting groups that are differentially removed and are differentially chemically labile, RNA oligonucleotides were synthesized.

RNA oligonucleotides are synthesized in a stepwise fashion. Each nucleotide is added sequentially (3′- to 5′-direction) to a solid support-bound oligonucleotide. The first nucleoside at the 3′-end of the chain is covalently attached to a solid support. The nucleotide precursor, a ribonucleoside phosphoramidite, and activator are added, coupling the second base onto the 5″-end of the first nucleoside. The support is washed and any unreacted 5″-hydroxyl groups are capped with acetic anhydride to yield 5′-acetyl moieties. The linkage is then oxidized to the more stable and ultimately desired P(V) linkage. At the end of the nucleotide addition cycle, the 5″-silyl group is cleaved with fluoride. The cycle is repeated for each subsequent nucleotide.

Following synthesis, the methyl protecting groups on the phosphates are cleaved in 30 minutes utilizing 1 M disodium-2-carbamoyl-2-cyanoethylene-1,1-dithiolate trihydrate (S₂Na₂) in DMF. The deprotection solution is washed from the solid support-bound oligonucleotide using water. The support is then treated with 40% methylamine in water for 10 minutes at 55° C. This releases the RNA oligonucleotides into solution, deprotects the exocyclic amines, and modifies the 2′-groups. The oligonucleotides can be analyzed by anion exchange HPLC at this stage.

The 2″-orthoester groups are the last protecting groups to be removed. The ethylene glycol monoacetate orthoester protecting group developed by Dharmacon Research, Inc. (Lafayette, Colo.), is one example of a useful orthoester protecting group which, has the following important properties. It is stable to the conditions of nucleoside phosphoramidite synthesis and oligonucleotide synthesis. However, after oligonucleotide synthesis the oligonucleotide is treated with methylamine which not only cleaves the oligonucleotide from the solid support but also removes the acetyl groups from the orthoesters. The resulting 2-ethyl-hydroxyl substituents on the orthoester are less electron withdrawing than the acetylated precursor. As a result, the modified orthoester becomes more labile to acid-catalyzed hydrolysis. Specifically, the rate of cleavage is approximately 10 times faster after the acetyl groups are removed. Therefore, this orthoester possesses sufficient stability in order to be compatible with oligonucleotide synthesis and yet, when subsequently modified, permits deprotection to be carried out under relatively mild aqueous conditions compatible with the final RNA oligonucleotide product.

Additionally, methods of RNA synthesis are well known in the art (Scaringe, S. A. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Colorado, 1996; Scaringe, S. A., et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1998, 120, 11820-11821; Matteucci, M. D. and Caruthers, M. H. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1981, 103, 3185-3191; Beaucage, S. L. and Caruthers, M. H. Tetrahedron Lett., 1981, 22, 1859-1862; Dahl, B. J., et al., Acta Chem. Scand, 1990, 44, 639-641; Reddy, M. P., et al., Tetrahedrom Lett., 1994, 25, 4311-4314; Wincott, F. et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 1995, 23, 2677-2684; Griffin, B. E., et al., Tetrahedron, 1967, 23, 2301-2313; Griffin, B. E., et al., Tetrahedron, 1967, 23, 2315-2331).

RNA antisense compounds (RNA oligonucleotides) of the present invention can be synthesized by the methods herein or purchased from Dharmacon Research, Inc (Lafayette, Colo.). Once synthesized, complementary RNA antisense compounds can then be annealed by methods known in the art to form double stranded (duplexed) antisense compounds. For example, duplexes can be formed by combining 30 μl of each of the complementary strands of RNA oligonucleotides (50 μM RNA oligonucleotide solution) and 15 μl of 5× annealing buffer (100 mM potassium acetate, 30 mM HEPES-KOH pH 7.4, 2 mM magnesium acetate) followed by heating for 1 minute at 90° C., then 1 hour at 37° C. The resulting duplexed antisense compounds can be used in kits, assays, screens, or other methods to investigate the role of a target nucleic acid, or for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

Example 4 Synthesis of Chimeric Compounds

Chimeric oligonucleotides, oligonucleosides or mixed oligonucleotides/oligonucleosides of the invention can be of several different types. These include a first type wherein the “gap” segment of linked nucleosides is positioned between 5′ and 3′ “wing” segments of linked nucleosides and a second “open end” type wherein the “gap” segment is located at either the 3′ or the 5′ terminus of the oligomeric compound. Oligonucleotides of the first type are also known in the art as “gapmers” or gapped oligonucleotides. Oligonucleotides of the second type are also known in the art as “hemimers” or “wingmers”.

[2′-O-M]-[2′-deoxy]-[2′-O-Me] Chimeric Phosphorothioate Oligonucleotides

Chimeric oligonucleotides having 2′-O-alkyl phosphorothioate and 2′-deoxy phosphorothioate oligonucleotide segments are synthesized using an Applied Biosystems automated DNA synthesizer Model 394, as above. Oligonucleotides are synthesized using the automated synthesizer and 2′-deoxy-5′-dimethoxytrityl-3′-O-phosphoramidite for the DNA portion and 5′-dimethoxytrityl-2′-O-methyl-3′-O-phosphoramidite for 5′ and 3′ wings. The standard synthesis cycle is modified by incorporating coupling steps with increased reaction times for the 5′-dimethoxytrityl-2′-O-methyl-3′-O-phosphoramidite. The fully protected oligonucleotide is cleaved from the support and deprotected in concentrated ammonia (NH₄OH) for 12-16 hr at 55° C. The deprotected oligo is then recovered by an appropriate method (precipitation, column chromatography, volume reduced in vacuo and analyzed spectrophotometrically for yield and for purity by capillary electrophoresis and by mass spectrometry).

[2′-O-(2-Methoxyethyl)]-[2′-deoxy]-[2′-O-(Methoxyethyl)] Chimeric Phosphorothioate Oligonucleotides

[2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl)]-[2′-deoxy]-[-2′-O-(methoxyethyl)] chimeric phosphorothioate oligonucleotides were prepared as per the procedure above for the 2′-O-methyl chimeric oligonucleotide, with the substitution of 2′-O-(methoxyethyl) amidites for the 2′-O-methyl amidites.

[2′-O-(2-Methoxyethyl)Phosphodiester]-[2′-deoxy Phosphorothioate]-[2′-O-(2-Methoxyethyl)Phosphodiester] Chimeric Oligonucleotides

[2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl phosphodiester]-[2′-deoxy phosphorothioate]-[2′-O-(methoxyethyl)phosphodiester] chimeric oligonucleotides are prepared as per the above procedure for the 2′-O-methyl chimeric oligonucleotide with the substitution of 2′-O-(methoxyethyl) amidites for the 2′-O-methyl amidites, oxidation with iodine to generate the phosphodiester internucleotide linkages within the wing portions of the chimeric structures and sulfurization utilizing 3,H-1,2 benzodithiole-3-one 1,1 dioxide (Beaucage Reagent) to generate the phosphorothioate internucleotide linkages for the center gap.

Other chimeric oligonucleotides, chimeric oligonucleosides and mixed chimeric oligonucleotides/oligonucleosides are synthesized according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,623,065, herein incorporated by reference.

Example 5 Design and Screening of Duplexed Antisense Compounds Targeting Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase 2

In accordance with the present invention, a series of nucleic acid duplexes, also known as double-strand RNAs (dsRNAs) or small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), comprising the antisense compounds of the present invention and their complements can be designed to target diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2. The nucleobase sequence of the antisense strand of the duplex comprises at least an 8-nucleobase portion of an oligonucleotide in Table 1. The ends of the strands may be modified by the addition of one or more natural or modified nucleobases to form an overhang. The sense strand of the dsRNA is then designed and synthesized as the complement of the antisense strand and may also contain modifications or additions to either terminus. For example, in one embodiment, both strands of the dsRNA duplex would be complementary over the central nucleobases, each having overhangs at one or both termini. The antisense and sense strands of the duplex comprise from about 17 to 25 nucleotides, or from about 19 to 23 nucleotides. Alternatively, the antisense and sense strands comprise 20, 21 or 22 nucleotides.

For example, a duplex comprising an antisense strand having the sequence CGAGAGGCGGACGGGACCG (SEQ ID NO: 489) and having a two-nucleobase overhang of deoxythymidine(dT) has the following structure (Antisense SEQ ID NO: 490 and Complement SEQ ID NO: 491):

Overhangs can range from 1 to 6 nucleobases and these nucleobases may or may not be complementary to the target nucleic acid. One of skill in the art will understand that the overhang may be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 nucleobases in length. In another embodiment, the duplexes may have an overhang on only one terminus.

In another embodiment, a duplex comprising an antisense strand having the same sequence CGAGAGGCGGACGGGACCG (SEQ ID NO: 489) may be prepared with blunt ends (no single stranded overhang) as shown (Antisense SEQ ID NO: 489 and Complement SEQ ID NO: 492):

The RNA duplex can be unimolecular or bimolecular; i.e., the two strands can be part of a single molecule or may be separate molecules.

RNA strands of the duplex can be synthesized by methods disclosed herein or purchased from Dharmacon Research Inc., (Lafayette, Colo.). Once synthesized, the complementary strands are annealed. The single strands are aliquoted and diluted to a concentration of 50 μM. Once diluted, 30 μL of each strand is combined with 15 μL of a 5× solution of annealing buffer. The final concentration of said buffer is 100 mM potassium acetate, 30 mM HEPES-KOH pH 7.4, and 2 mM magnesium acetate. The final volume is 75 μL. This solution is incubated for 1 minute at 90° C. and then centrifuged for 15 seconds. The tube is allowed to sit for 1 hour at 37° C. at which time the dsRNA duplexes are used in experimentation. The final concentration of the dsRNA duplex is 20 μM. This solution can be stored frozen (−20° C.) and freeze-thawed up to 5 times.

Once prepared, the duplexed antisense compounds are evaluated for their ability to modulate diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 expression.

When cells reached 80% confluency, they are treated with duplexed antisense compounds of the invention. For cells grown in 96-well plates, wells are washed once with 200 μL OPTI-MEM-1 reduced-serum medium (Gibco BRL) and then treated with 130 μL of OPTI-MEM-1 containing 12 μg/mL LIPOFECTIN™ reagent (Gibco BRL) and the desired duplex antisense compound at a final concentration of 200 nM. After 5 hours of treatment, the medium is replaced with fresh medium. Cells are harvested 16 hours after treatment, at which time RNA is isolated and target reduction measured by RT-PCR.

Example 6 Oligonucleotide Isolation

After cleavage from the controlled pore glass solid support and deblocking in concentrated ammonium hydroxide at 55° C. for 12-16 hours, the oligonucleotides or oligonucleosides are recovered by precipitation out of 1 M NH₄OAc with >3 volumes of ethanol. Synthesized oligonucleotides were analyzed by electrospray mass spectroscopy (molecular weight determination) and by capillary gel electrophoresis and judged to be at least 70% full-length material. The relative amounts of phosphorothioate and phosphodiester linkages obtained in the synthesis was determined by the ratio of correct molecular weight relative to the −16 amu product (+/−32+/−48). For some studies oligonucleotides were purified by HPLC, as described by Chiang et al., J. Biol. Chem. 1991, 266, 18162-18171. Results obtained with HPLC-purified material were similar to those obtained with non-HPLC purified material.

Example 7 Oligonucleotide Synthesis 96 Well Plate Format

Oligonucleotides were synthesized via solid phase P(III) phosphoramidite chemistry on an automated synthesizer capable of assembling 96 sequences simultaneously in a 96-well format. Phosphodiester internucleotide linkages were afforded by oxidation with aqueous iodine. Phosphorothioate internucleotide linkages were generated by sulfurization utilizing 3,H-1,2 benzodithiole-3-one 1,1 dioxide (Beaucage Reagent) in anhydrous acetonitrile. Standard base-protected beta-cyanoethyl-diiso-propyl phosphoramidites were purchased from commercial vendors (e.g. PE-Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif., or Pharmacia, Piscataway, N.J.). Non-standard nucleosides are synthesized as per standard or patented methods. They are utilized as base protected beta-cyanoethyldiisopropyl phosphoramidites.

Oligonucleotides were cleaved from support and deprotected with concentrated NH₄OH at elevated temperature (55-60° C.) for 12-16 hours and the released product then dried in vacuo. The dried product was then re-suspended in sterile water to afford a master plate from which all analytical and test plate samples are then diluted utilizing robotic pipettors.

Example 8 Oligonucleotide Analysis 96-Well Plate Format

The concentration of oligonucleotide in each well was assessed by dilution of samples and UV absorption spectroscopy. The full-length integrity of the individual products was evaluated by capillary electrophoresis (CE) in either the 96-well format (Beckman P/ACE™ MDQ apparatus) or, for individually prepared samples, on a commercial CE apparatus (e.g., Beckman P/ACE™ 5000, ABI 270 apparatus). Base and backbone composition was confirmed by mass analysis of the compounds utilizing electrospray-mass spectroscopy. All assay test plates were diluted from the master plate using single and multi-channel robotic pipettors. Plates were judged to be acceptable if at least 85% of the compounds on the plate were at least 85% full length.

Example 9 Cell Culture and Oligonucleotide Treatment

The effect of antisense compounds on target nucleic acid expression can be tested in any of a variety of cell types provided that the target nucleic acid is present at measurable levels. This can be routinely determined using, for example, PCR or Northern blot analysis. The following cell types are provided for illustrative purposes, but other cell types can be routinely used, provided that the target is expressed in the cell type chosen. This can be readily determined by methods routine in the art, for example Northern blot analysis, ribonuclease protection assays, or real-time PCR.

T-24 Cells:

The human transitional cell bladder carcinoma cell line T-24 was obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) (Manassas, Va.). T-24 cells were routinely cultured in complete McCoy's 5A basal media (Invitrogen Corporation, Carlsbad, Calif.) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (Invitrogen Corporation, Carlsbad, Calif.), penicillin 100 units per mL, and streptomycin 100 micrograms per mL (Invitrogen Corporation, Carlsbad, Calif.). Cells were routinely passaged by trypsinization and dilution when they reached 90% confluence. Cells were seeded into 96-well plates (Falcon-Primaria #353872) at a density of 7000 cells/well for use in RT-PCR analysis.

For Northern blotting or other analysis, cells may be seeded onto 100 mm or other standard tissue culture plates and treated similarly, using appropriate volumes of medium and oligonucleotide.

A549 Cells:

The human lung carcinoma cell line A549 was obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) (Manassas, Va.). A549 cells were routinely cultured in DMEM basal media (Invitrogen Corporation, Carlsbad, Calif.) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (Invitrogen Corporation, Carlsbad, Calif.), penicillin 100 units per mL, and streptomycin 100 micrograms per mL (Invitrogen Corporation, Carlsbad, Calif.). Cells were routinely passaged by trypsinization and dilution when they reached 90% confluence.

NHDF Cells:

Human neonatal dermal fibroblast (NHDF) were obtained from the Clonetics Corporation (Walkersville, Md.). NHDFs were routinely maintained in Fibroblast Growth Medium (Clonetics Corporation, Walkersville, Md.) supplemented as recommended by the supplier. Cells were maintained for up to 10 passages as recommended by the supplier.

HEK Cells:

Human embryonic keratinocytes (HEK) were obtained from the Clonetics Corporation (Walkersville, Md.). HEKs were routinely maintained in Keratinocyte Growth Medium (Clonetics Corporation, Walkersville, Md.) formulated as recommended by the supplier. Cells were routinely maintained for up to 10 passages as recommended by the supplier.

3T3-L1 Cells:

The mouse embryonic adipocyte-like cell line 3T3-L1 was obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (Manassas, Va.). 3T3-L1 cells were routinely cultured in DMEM, high glucose (Invitrogen Corporation, Carlsbad, Calif.) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (Invitrogen Corporation, Carlsbad, Calif.). Cells were routinely passaged by trypsinization and dilution when they reached 80% confluence. Cells were seeded into 96-well plates (Falcon-Primaria #3872) at a density of 4000 cells/well for use in RT-PCR analysis.

For Northern blotting or other analyses, cells may be seeded onto 100 mm or other standard tissue culture plates and treated similarly, using appropriate volumes of medium and oligonucleotide.

Primary Mouse Hepatocytes:

Primary mouse hepatocytes were prepared from CD-1 mice purchased from Charles River Labs. Primary mouse hepatocytes were routinely cultured in Hepatocyte Attachment Media supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, 1% penicillin/streptomycin, 1% antibiotic-antimitotic (Invitrogen Life Technologies, Carlsbad, Calif.) and 10 nM bovine insulin (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo.). Cells were seeded into 96-well plates (Falcon-Primaria #3872) coated with 0.1 mg/ml collagen at a density of approximately 10,000 cells/well for use in oligomeric compound transfection experiments.

Treatment with Antisense Compounds:

When cells reached 65-75% confluency, they were treated with oligonucleotide. For cells grown in 96-well plates, wells were washed once with 100 μL OPTI-MEM™-1 reduced-serum medium (Invitrogen Corporation, Carlsbad, Calif.) and then treated with 130 μL of the OPTI-MEM™-1 medium containing 2.5 or 3 μg/mL LIPOFECTIN™ reagent (Invitrogen Corporation, Carlsbad, Calif.) per 100 nM of oligonucleotide. Cells are treated and data are obtained in triplicate. After 4-7 hours of treatment at 37° C., the medium was replaced with fresh medium. Cells were harvested 16-24 hours after oligonucleotide treatment.

The concentration of oligonucleotide used varies from cell line to cell line. To determine the optimal oligonucleotide concentration for a particular cell line, the cells are treated with a positive control oligonucleotide at a range of concentrations. For human cells the positive control oligonucleotide is selected from either ISIS 13920 (TCCGTCATCGCTCCTCAGGG, SEQ ID NO: 1) which is targeted to human H-ras, or ISIS 18078, (GTGCGCGCGAGCCCGAAATC, SEQ ID NO: 2) which is targeted to human Jun-N-terminal kinase-2 (JNK2). Both controls are 2′-O-methoxyethyl gapmers (2′-O-methoxyethyls shown in bold) with a phosphorothioate backbone. For mouse or rat cells the positive control oligonucleotide is ISIS 15770, ATGCATTCTGCCCCCAAGGA, SEQ ID NO: 3, a 2′-O-methoxyethyl gapmer (2′-O-methoxyethyls shown in bold) with a phosphorothioate backbone which is targeted to both mouse and rat c-raf. The concentration of positive control oligonucleotide that results in 80% inhibition of c-H-ras (for ISIS 13920), JNK2 (for ISIS 18078) or c-raf (for ISIS 15770) mRNA is then utilized as the screening concentration for new oligonucleotides in subsequent experiments for that cell line. If 80% inhibition is not achieved, the lowest concentration of positive control oligonucleotide that results in 60% inhibition of c-H-ras, JNK2 or c-raf mRNA is then utilized as the oligonucleotide screening concentration in subsequent experiments for that cell line. If 60% inhibition is not achieved, that particular cell line is deemed as unsuitable for oligonucleotide transfection experiments. The concentrations of antisense oligonucleotides used herein are from 50 nM to 300 nM.

Example 10 Analysis of Oligonucleotide Inhibition of Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase 2 Expression

Antisense modulation of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 expression can be assayed in a variety of ways known in the art. For example, diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 mRNA levels can be quantitated by, e.g., Northern blot analysis, competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR), or real-time PCR. Quantitative real-time PCR is presently preferred. RNA analysis can be performed on total cellular RNA or poly(A)+ mRNA. The preferred method of RNA analysis of the present invention is the use of total cellular RNA as described in other examples herein. Methods of RNA isolation are well known in the art. Northern blot analysis is also routine in the art. Real-time quantitative (PCR) can be conveniently accomplished using the commercially available ABI PRISM™ 7600, 7700, or 7900 Sequence Detection System, available from PE-Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif. and used according to manufacturer's instructions.

Protein levels of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 can be quantitated in a variety of ways well known in the art, such as immunoprecipitation, Western blot analysis (immunoblotting), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Antibodies directed to diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 can be identified and obtained from a variety of sources, such as the MSRS catalog of antibodies (Aerie Corporation, Birmingham, Mich.), or can be prepared via conventional monoclonal or polyclonal antibody generation methods well known in the art.

Example 11 Design of Phenotypic Assays for the Use of Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase 2 Inhibitors

Once diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 inhibitors have been identified by the methods disclosed herein, the compounds are further investigated in one or more phenotypic assays, each having measurable endpoints predictive of efficacy in the treatment of a particular disease state or condition. Phenotypic assays, kits and reagents for their use are well known to those skilled in the art and are herein used to investigate the role and/or association of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 in health and disease. Representative phenotypic assays, which can be purchased from any one of several commercial vendors, include those for determining cell viability, cytotoxicity, proliferation or cell survival (Molecular Probes, Eugene, Oreg.; PerkinElmer, Boston, Mass.), protein-based assays including enzymatic assays (Panvera, LLC, Madison, Wis.; BD Biosciences, Franklin Lakes, N.J.; Oncogene Research Products, San Diego, Calif.), cell regulation, signal transduction, inflammation, oxidative processes and apoptosis (Assay Designs Inc., Ann Arbor, Mich.), triglyceride accumulation (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo.), angiogenesis assays, tube formation assays, cytokine and hormone assays and metabolic assays (Chemicon International Inc., Temecula, Calif.; Amersham Biosciences, Piscataway, N.J.).

In one non-limiting example, cells determined to be appropriate for a particular phenotypic assay (i.e., MCF-7 cells selected for breast cancer studies; adipocytes for obesity studies) are treated with diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 inhibitors identified from the in vitro studies as well as control compounds at optimal concentrations which are determined by the methods described above. At the end of the treatment period, treated and untreated cells are analyzed by one or more methods specific for the assay to determine phenotypic outcomes and endpoints.

Phenotypic endpoints include changes in cell morphology over time or treatment dose as well as changes in levels of cellular components such as proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, hormones, saccharides or metals. Measurements of cellular status which include pH, stage of the cell cycle, intake or excretion of biological indicators by the cell, are also endpoints of interest.

Analysis of the expression of one or more genes in the cell after treatment is also used as an indicator of the efficacy or potency of the diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 inhibitors. Hallmark genes, or those genes suspected to be associated with a specific disease state, condition, or phenotype, are measured in both treated and untreated cells.

Example 12 RNA Isolation

Poly(A)+ mRNA Isolation

Poly(A)+ mRNA was isolated according to Miura et al., (Clin. Chem., 1996, 42, 1758-1764). Other methods for poly(A)+ mRNA isolation are routine in the art. Briefly, for cells grown on 96-well plates, growth medium was removed from the cells and each well was washed with 200 μL cold PBS. 60 μL lysis buffer (10 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.6, 1 mM EDTA, 0.5 M NaCl, 0.5% NP-40, 20 mM vanadyl-ribonucleoside complex) was added to each well, the plate was gently agitated and then incubated at room temperature for five minutes. 55 μL of lysate was transferred to Oligo d(T) coated 96-well plates (AGCT Inc., Irvine Calif.). Plates were incubated for 60 minutes at room temperature, washed 3 times with 200 μL of wash buffer (10 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.6, 1 mM EDTA, 0.3 M NaCl). After the final wash, the plate was blotted on paper towels to remove excess wash buffer and then air-dried for 5 minutes. 60 μL of elution buffer (5 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.6), preheated to 70° C., was added to each well, the plate was incubated on a 90° C. hot plate for 5 minutes, and the eluate was then transferred to a fresh 96-well plate.

Cells grown on 100 mm or other standard plates may be treated similarly, using appropriate volumes of all solutions.

Total RNA Isolation

Total RNA was isolated using an RNEASY™ 96 kit and buffers purchased from Qiagen, Inc. (Valencia, Calif.) following the manufacturer's recommended procedures. Briefly, for cells grown on 96-well plates, growth medium was removed from the cells and each well was washed with 200 μL cold PBS. 150 μL Buffer RLT was added to each well and the plate vigorously agitated for 20 seconds. 150 μL of 70% ethanol was then added to each well and the contents mixed by pipetting three times up and down. The samples were then transferred to the RNEASY™ 96 well plate attached to a QIAVAC™ manifold fitted with a waste collection tray and attached to a vacuum source. Vacuum was applied for 1 minute. 500 μL of Buffer RW1 was added to each well of the RNEASY™ 96 plate and incubated for 15 minutes and the vacuum was again applied for 1 minute. An additional 500 μL of Buffer RW1 was added to each well of the RNEASY™ 96 plate and the vacuum was applied for 2 minutes. 1 mL of Buffer RPE was then added to each well of the RNEASY™ 96 plate and the vacuum applied for a period of 90 seconds. The Buffer RPE wash was then repeated and the vacuum was applied for an additional 3 minutes. The plate was then removed from the QIAVAC™ manifold and blotted dry on paper towels. The plate was then re-attached to the QIAVAC™ manifold fitted with a collection tube rack containing 1.2 mL collection tubes. RNA was then eluted by pipetting 140 μL of RNase free water into each well, incubating 1 minute, and then applying the vacuum for 3 minutes.

The repetitive pipetting and elution steps may be automated using a QIAGEN® Bio-Robot™ 9604 instrument (Qiagen, Inc., Valencia Calif.). Essentially, after lysing of the cells on the culture plate, the plate is transferred to the robot deck where the pipetting, DNase treatment and elution steps are carried out.

Example 13 Real-Time Quantitative PCR Analysis of Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase 2 mRNA Levels

Quantitation of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 mRNA levels was accomplished by real-time quantitative PCR using the ABI PRISM™ 7600, 7700, or 7900 Sequence Detection System (PE-Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.) according to manufacturer's instructions. This is a closed-tube, non-gel-based, fluorescence detection system which allows high-throughput quantitation of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products in real-time. As opposed to standard PCR in which amplification products are quantitated after the PCR is completed, products in real-time quantitative PCR are quantitated as they accumulate. This is accomplished by including in the PCR reaction an oligonucleotide probe that anneals specifically between the forward and reverse PCR primers, and contains two fluorescent dyes. A reporter dye (e.g., FAM or JOE, obtained from either PE-Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif., Operon Technologies Inc., Alameda, Calif. or Integrated DNA Technologies Inc., Coralville, Iowa) is attached to the 5′ end of the probe and a quencher dye (e.g., TAMRA, obtained from either PE-Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif., Operon Technologies Inc., Alameda, Calif. or Integrated DNA Technologies Inc., Coralville, Iowa) is attached to the 3′ end of the probe. When the probe and dyes are intact, reporter dye emission is quenched by the proximity of the 3′ quencher dye. During amplification, annealing of the probe to the target sequence creates a substrate that can be cleaved by the 5′-exonuclease activity of Taq polymerase. During the extension phase of the PCR amplification cycle, cleavage of the probe by Taq polymerase releases the reporter dye from the remainder of the probe (and hence from the quencher moiety) and a sequence-specific fluorescent signal is generated. With each cycle, additional reporter dye molecules are cleaved from their respective probes, and the fluorescence intensity is monitored at regular intervals by laser optics built into the ABI PRISM™ Sequence Detection System. In each assay, a series of parallel reactions containing serial dilutions of mRNA from untreated control samples generates a standard curve that is used to quantitate the percent inhibition after antisense oligonucleotide treatment of test samples.

Prior to quantitative PCR analysis, primer-probe sets specific to the target gene being measured are evaluated for their ability to be “multiplexed” with a GAPDH amplification reaction. In multiplexing, both the target gene and the internal standard gene GAPDH are amplified concurrently in a single sample. In this analysis, mRNA isolated from untreated cells is serially diluted. Each dilution is amplified in the presence of primer-probe sets specific for GAPDH only, target gene only (“single-plexing”), or both (multiplexing). Following PCR amplification, standard curves of GAPDH and target mRNA signal as a function of dilution are generated from both the single-plexed and multiplexed samples. If both the slope and correlation coefficient of the GAPDH and target signals generated from the multiplexed samples fall within 10% of their corresponding values generated from the single-plexed samples, the primer-probe set specific for that target is deemed multiplexable. Other methods of PCR are also known in the art.

Gene target quantities are obtained by real-time PCR. Prior to the real-time PCR, isolated RNA is subjected to a reverse transcriptase (RT) reaction, for the purpose of generating complementary DNA (cDNA). The real-time PCR is then performed on the resulting cDNA. Reverse transcriptase and PCR reagents were obtained from Invitrogen Corporation, (Carlsbad, Calif.). RT, real-time PCR reactions were carried out by adding 20 μL PCR cocktail (2.5×PCR buffer minus MgCl₂, 6.6 mM MgCl₂, 375 μM each of dATP, dCTP, dCTP and dGTP, 375 nM each of forward primer and reverse primer, 125 nM of probe, 4 Units RNase inhibitor, 1.25 Units PLATINUM® Taq polymerase, 5 Units MuLV reverse transcriptase, and 2.5×ROX dye) to 96-well plates containing 30 μL total RNA solution (20-200 ng). The RT reaction was carried out by incubation for 30 minutes at 48° C. Following a 10 minute incubation at 95° C. to activate the PLATINUM® Taq polymerase, 40 cycles of a two-step PCR protocol were carried out: 95° C. for 15 seconds (denaturation) followed by 60° C. for 1.5 minutes (annealing/extension). The method of obtaining gene target quantities by RT, real-time PCR is often referred to as simply real-time PCR.

Gene target quantities obtained by real-time PCR are normalized using either the expression level of GAPDH, a gene whose expression is constant, or by quantifying total RNA using the RIBOGREEN™ reagent (Molecular Probes, Inc. Eugene, Oreg.). GAPDH expression is quantified by real time real-time PCR, by being run simultaneously with the target, multiplexing, or separately. Total RNA is quantified using RIBOGREEN™ RNA quantification reagent (Molecular Probes, Inc. Eugene, Oreg.). Methods of RNA quantification by the RIBOGREEN™ reagent are taught in Jones, L. J., et al, (Analytical Biochemistry, 1998, 265, 368-374).

In this assay, 170 μL of RiboGreen™ working reagent (the RIBOGREEN™ reagent diluted 1:350 in 10 mM Tris-HCl, 1 mM EDTA, pH 7.5) was pipetted into a 96-well plate containing 30 μL purified, cellular RNA. The plate was read in a CytoFluor 4000 apparatus (PE Applied Biosystems) with excitation at 485 nm and emission at 530 nm.

Probes and primers to human diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 were designed to hybridize to a human diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 sequence, using published sequence information (GENBANK® accession number NM_(—)032564.2, incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 4). For human diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 the PCR primers were:

forward primer: CATACGGCCTTACCTGGCTACA (SEQ ID NO: 5)

reverse primer: CAGACATCAGGTACTCCCTCAACA (SEQ ID NO: 6) and the PCR probe was: FAM-TGGCAGGCAACTTCCGAATGCC-TAMRA

(SEQ ID NO: 7) where FAM is the fluorescent dye and TAMRA is the quencher dye. For human GAPDH the PCR primers were:

forward primer: GAAGGTGAAGGTCGGAGTC(SEQ ID NO:8)

reverse primer: GAAGATGGTGATGGGATTTC (SEQ ID NO:9) and the PCR probe was: 5′ JOE-CAAGCTTCCCGTTCTCAGCC-TAMRA 3′ (SEQ ID NO: 10) where JOE is the fluorescent reporter dye and TAMRA is the quencher dye.

Probes and primers to mouse diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 were designed to hybridize to a mouse diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 sequence, using published sequence information (GENBANK® accession number AK002443.1, incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO:11). For mouse diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 the PCR primers were:

forward primer: ACTCTGGAGGTTGGCACCAT (SEQ ID NO:12)

reverse primer: GGGTGTGGCTCAGGAGGAT (SEQ ID NO: 13) and the PCR probe was: FAM-CAGCGTTGCTCTGGCGCA-TAMRA

(SEQ ID NO: 14) where FAM is the fluorescent reporter dye and TAMRA is the quencher dye. For mouse GAPDH the PCR primers were:

forward primer: GGCAAATTCAACGGCACAGT (SEQ ID NO:15)

reverse primer: GGGTCTCGCTCCTGGAAGAT (SEQ ID NO:16) and the PCR probe was: 5′ JOE-AAGGCCGAGAATGGGAAGCTTGTCATC-TAMRA 3′ (SEQ ID NO: 17) where JOE is the fluorescent reporter dye and TAMRA is the quencher dye.

Example 14 Northern Blot Analysis of Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase 2 mRNA Levels

Eighteen hours after antisense treatment, cell monolayers were washed twice with cold PBS and lysed in 1 mL RNAZOL™ reagent (TEL-TEST “B” Inc., Friendswood, Tex.). Total RNA was prepared following manufacturer's recommended protocols. Twenty micrograms of total RNA was fractionated by electrophoresis through 1.2% agarose gels containing 1.1% formaldehyde using a MOPS buffer system (AMRESCO, Inc. Solon, Ohio). RNA was transferred from the gel to HYBOND™-N+ nylon membranes (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, Piscataway, N.J.) by overnight capillary transfer using a Northern/Southern Transfer buffer system (TEL-TEST “B” Inc., Friendswood, Tex.). RNA transfer was confirmed by UV visualization. Membranes were fixed by UV cross-linking using a STRATALINKER™ UV Crosslinker 2400 instrument (Stratagene, Inc, La Jolla, Calif.) and then probed using QUICKHYB™ hybridization solution (Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif.) using manufacturer's recommendations for stringent conditions.

To detect human diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2, a human diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 specific probe was prepared by PCR using the forward primer CATACGGCCTTACCTGGCTACA (SEQ ID NO: 5) and the reverse primer CAGACATCAGGTACTCCCTCAACA (SEQ ID NO: 6). To normalize for variations in loading and transfer efficiency membranes were stripped and probed for human glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) RNA (Clontech, Palo Alto, Calif.).

To detect mouse diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2, a mouse diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 specific probe was prepared by PCR using the forward primer ACTCTGGAGGTTGGCACCAT (SEQ ID NO: 12) and the reverse primer GGGTGTGGCTCAGGAGGAT (SEQ ID NO: 13). To normalize for variations in loading and transfer efficiency membranes were stripped and probed for mouse glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) RNA (Clontech, Palo Alto, Calif.).

Hybridized membranes were visualized and quantitated using PHOSPHORIMAGER™ and IMAGEQUANT™ Software V3.3 (Molecular Dynamics, Sunnyvale, Calif.). Data was normalized to GAPDH levels in untreated controls.

Example 15 Antisense Inhibition of Human Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase 2 Expression by Chimeric Phosphorothioate Oligonucleotides Having 2′-MOE Wings and a Deoxy Gap

In accordance with the present invention, a series of antisense compounds was designed to target different regions of the human diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 RNA, using published sequences (GENBANK® accession number NM_(—)032564.2, incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 4, nucleotides 5669186 to 5712008 of the nucleotide sequence with the GenBank accession number NT_(—)033927.5, incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 18). The compounds are shown in Table 1. “Target site” indicates the first (5′-most) nucleotide number on the particular target sequence to which the compound binds. All compounds in Table 1 are chimeric oligonucleotides (“gapmers”) 20 nucleotides in length, composed of a central “gap” region consisting of ten 2′-deoxynucleotides, which is flanked on both sides (5′ and 3′ directions) by five-nucleotide “wings”. The wings are composed of 2′-O-methoxyethyl (2′-MOE) nucleotides. The internucleoside (backbone) linkages are phosphorothioate (P═S) throughout the oligonucleotide. All cytidine residues are 5-methylcytidines. The compounds were analyzed for their effect on human diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 mRNA levels by quantitative real-time PCR as described in other examples herein. Data are averages from three experiments in which A549 cells were treated with 125 nM of the antisense oligonucleotides of the present invention. If present, “N.D.” indicates “no data”. ISIS 18078 (SEQ ID NO: 2) was used in this assay as a negative control.

TABLE 1 Inhibition of human diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 mRNA levels by chimeric phosphorothioate oligonucleotides having 2′-MOE wings and a deoxy gap TARGET SEQ ISIS SEQ ID TARGET % ID # REGION NO SITE SEQUENCE (5′ to 3′) INHIB NO 217310 Coding  4 579 ctcctgccacctttcttggg 79 20 217312 Coding  4 639 tggatgggaaagtagtctcg 82 21 217313 Coding  4 644 ccagctggatgggaaagtag 34 22 217314 Coding  4 649 cttcaccagctggatgggaa 40 23 217315 Coding  4 654 tgtgtcttcaccagctggat 86 24 217316 Coding  4 659 ggttgtgtgtcttcaccagc 88 25 217317 Coding  4 664 cagcaggttgtgtgtcttca 93 26 217318 Coding  4 669 gtggtcagcaggttgtgtgt 74 27 217319 Coding  4 674 tcctggtggtcagcaggttg 84 28 217320 Coding  4 679 atagttcctggtggtcagca 90 29 217321 Coding  4 684 aagatatagttcctggtggt 77 30 217322 Coding  4 689 atccaaagatatagttcctg 73 31 217323 Coding  4 694 gtggtatccaaagatatagt 70 32 217324 Coding  4 723 aaggcacccaggcccatgat 74 33 217325 Coding  4 846 cctccagacatcaggtactc 73 34 217328 Coding  4 909 gcattgccactcccattctt 89 35 217329 Coding  4 914 tgatagcattgccactccca 88 36 217330 Coding  4 919 gatgatgatagcattgccac 77 37 217331 Coding  4 924 accacgatgatgatagcatt 77 38 217333 Coding  4 963 ttgccaggcatggagctcag 79 39 217336 Coding  4 1110 tggacccatcggccccagga 72 40 217337 Coding  4 1115 tcttctggacccatcggccc 76 41 217338 Coding  4 1120 gaacttcttctggacccatc 43 42 217339 Coding  4 1125 ttctggaacttcttctggac 62 43 217341 Coding  4 1197 ggcaccagcccccaggtgtc 68 44 217342 Coding  4 1202 agtagggcaccagcccccag 54 45 217343 Coding  4 1207 cttggagtagggcaccagcc 69 46 217346 Coding  4 1309 cagggcctccatgtacatgg 81 47 217347 Coding  4 1314 ttcaccagggcctccatgta 54 48 217348 Coding  4 1319 agagcttcaccagggcctcc 83 49 217353 3′UTR  4 1469 aacccacagacacccatgac 65 50 217354 3′UTR  4 1474 taaataacccacagacaccc 40 51 217355 3′UTR  4 1479 tcttttaaataacccacaga 47 52 334165 intron 18 21985 acaaaagagcatcctcctca 64 53 334166 intron 18 23110 actataaatgcttcagtcca 78 54 334167 exon:intron 18 31175 ttgcacttacctttcttggg 8 55 334168 exon:intron 18 31611 agcactttacctggatggga 63 56 334169 intron 18 33686 tcagtgaaatgaggcagatg 84 57 334170 intron 18 35303 ctcaaaagaggtgacatcaa 72 58 334171 exon:intron 18 37412 ggattcttacctccagacat 22 59 334172 intron:exon 18 39106 caggtcagctctggaaggga 47 60 334173 intron 18 37108 ttcccctggacctccatggg 76 61 334174 5′UTR  4 46 gtggcgcgagagaaacagcc 82 62 334175 5′UTR  4 134 gccagggcttcgcgcagagc 75 63 334176 Start Codon  4 222 agggtcttcatggctgaagc 53 64 334177 Coding  4 246 aggaccccggagtaggcggc 45 65 334178 Coding  4 441 acccactggagcactgagat 83 66 334179 Coding  4 855 gggcagatacctccagacat 28 67 334180 Coding  4 987 cggttccgcagggtgactgc 72 68 334181 Stop Codon 4  1387 aaggctggctcagttcacct 78 69 334182 3′UTR  4 1401 gggagttggccccgaaggct 64 70 334183 3′UTR  4 1414 gctggttcctccagggagtt 81 71 334184 3′UTR  4 1449 acttccaaatttacagagca 72 72 334185 3′UTR  4 1584 ccacctagaacagggcaagc 80 73 334186 3′UTR  4 1635 gggaagaagagaggttagct 35 74 334187 3′UTR  4 1647 tcacttcaggaagggaagaa 63 75 334188 3′UTR  4 1679 ccttcttccccaagaagact 51 76 334184 3′UTR  4 1707 ctaactggtccaagtcacta 82 77 334190 3′UTR  4 1724 ggcaaaaagtgaatcatcta 76 78 334191 3′UTR  4 1743 ttcgcctctcatccctaggg 13 79 334142 3′UTR  4 1763 ggcttgtatgagaagtggct 77 80 334193 3′UTR  4 1802 tttcaggactagacgagcgt 82 81 334144 3′UTR  4 1946 ctccgatatgagtgactagg 85 82 334145 3′UTR  4 1969 ctcatcctggaggccagtcc 72 83 334196 3′UTR  4 1974 ccatcctcatcctggaggcc 50 84 334197 3′UTR  4 1989 gtgtcattgccacccccatc 49 85 334198 3′UTR  4 2055 acctagctcatggtggcggc 67 86 334199 3′UTR  4 2067 accagttactccacctagct 73 87 334200 3′UTR  4 2088 gtcatcagccacccaagaaa 73 88 334201 3′UTR  4 2125 gtgctccaggccaaggctga 75 89 334202 3′UTR  4 2137 accagtaagcatgtgctcca 84 90 334203 3′UTR  4 2143 gaggccaccagtaagcatgt 65 91 334204 3′UTR  4 2150 gtaaactgaggccaccagta 82 92 334205 3′UTR  4 2184 cttcctcacatccagaatct 22 93 334206 3′UTR  4 2220 tgctcagaaggccaggcccc 89 94 334207 3′UTR  4 2242 acctcctttggaactaatct 76 95 334208 3′UTR  4 2269 gaaaagtgaggcttgggttc 44 96 334209 3′UTR  4 2367 aaaagtctgacatggtgcaa 75 97

As shown in Table 1, SEQ ID Nos: 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 75, 76, 77, 78, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 94, 95, 96 and 97 demonstrated at least 40% inhibition of human diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 expression in this assay and are therefore preferred. More preferred are SEQ ID Nos: 65, 26, 29 and 35. The target regions to which these preferred sequences are complementary are herein referred to as “preferred target segments” and are therefore preferred for targeting by compounds of the present invention. These preferred target segments are shown in Table 3. These sequences are shown to contain thymine (T) but one of skill in the art will appreciate that thymine (T) is generally replaced by uracil (U) in RNA sequences. The sequences represent the reverse complement of the preferred antisense compounds shown in Table 1. “Target site” indicates the first (5′-most) nucleotide number on the particular target nucleic acid to which the oligonucleotide binds. Also shown in Table 3 is the species in which each of the preferred target segments was found.

Example 16 Antisense Inhibition of Mouse Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase 2 Expression by Chimeric Phosphorothioate Oligonucleotides Having 2′-MOE Wings and a Deoxy Gap

In accordance with the present invention, a series of antisense compounds was designed to target different regions of the mouse diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 RNA, using published sequences (GENBANK® accession number AK002443.1, incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 11). The compounds are shown in Table 2. “Target site” indicates the first (5′-most) nucleotide number on the particular target nucleic acid to which the compound binds. All compounds in Table 2 are chimeric oligonucleotides (“gapmers”) 20 nucleotides in length, composed of a central “gap” region consisting of ten 2′-deoxynucleotides, which is flanked on both sides (5′ and 3′ directions) by five-nucleotide “wings”. The wings are composed of 2′-β-methoxyethyl (2′-MOE) nucleotides. The internucleoside (backbone) linkages are phosphorothioate (P═S) throughout the oligonucleotide. All cytidine residues are 5-methylcytidines. The compounds were analyzed for their effect on mouse diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 mRNA levels by quantitative real-time PCR as described in other examples herein. Data are averages from three experiments in which 3T3-L1 cells were treated with 150 nM of the antisense oligonucleotides of the present invention. If present, “N.D.” indicates “no data”. ISIS 18078 (SEQ ID NO: 2) was used as a negative control in this assay.

TABLE 2 Inhibition of mouse diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 mRNA levels by chimeric phosphorothioate oligonucleotides having 2′-MOE wings and a deoxy gap TARGET SEQ ISIS SEQ ID TARGET % ID # REGION NO SITE SEQUENCE (5′ to 3′) INHIB NO 217310 Coding 11  555 ctcctgccacctttcttggg  1  20 217312 Coding 11  615 tggatgggaaagtagtctcg 59  21 217313 Coding 11  620 ccagctggatgggaaagtag 20  22 217314 Coding 11  625 cttcaccagctggatgggaa  0  23 217315 Coding 11  630 tgtgtcttcaccagctggat 26  24 217316 Coding 11  635 ggttgtgtgtcttcaccagc 46  25 217317 Coding 11  640 cagcaggttgtgtgtcttca 36  26 217318 Coding 11  645 gtggtcagcaggttgtgtgt 25  27 217319 Coding 11  650 tcctggtggtcagcaggttg 30  28 217320 Coding 11  655 atagttcctggtggtcagca 31  29 217321 Coding 11  660 aagatatagttcctggtggt  0  30 217322 Coding 11  665 atccaaagatatagttcctg  0  31 217323 Coding 11  670 gtggtatccaaagatatagt 31  32 217324 Coding 11  699 aaggcacccaggcccatgat  0  33 217325 Coding 11  822 cctccagacatcaggtactc  2  34 217328 Coding 11  885 gcattgccactcccattctt 37  35 217329 Coding 11  890 tgatagcattgccactccca 30  36 217330 Coding 11  895 gatgatgatagcattgccac  0  37 217331 Coding 11  900 accacgatgatgatagcatt 35  38 217333 Coding 11  939 ttgccaggcatggagctcag 57  39 217336 Coding 11 1086 tggacccatcggccccagga  0  40 217337 Coding 11 1091 tcttctggacccatcggccc 16  41 217338 Coding 11 1096 gaacttcttctggacccatc 34  42 217339 Coding 11 1101 ttctggaacttcttctggac 20  43 217341 Coding 11 1173 ggcaccagcccccaggtgtc 14  44 217342 Coding 11 1178 agtagggcaccagcccccag  0  45 217343 Coding 11 1183 cttggagtagggcaccagcc 18  46 217346 Coding 11 1285 cagggcctccatgtacatgg 36  47 217347 Coding 11 1290 ttcaccagggcctccatgta  0  48 217348 Coding 11 1295 agagcttcaccagggcctcc 12  49 217353 3′UTR 11 1466 aacccacagacacccatgac  1  50 217354 3′UTR 11 1471 taaataacccacagacaccc 11  51 217355 3′UTR 11 1476 tcttttaaataacccacaga 19  52 217299 5′UTR 11   21 ccaccctagatgagcagaaa  0  98 217300 5′UTR 11   36 ggtaggtagccgctgccacc 26  99 217301 5′UTR 11   44 agagctgaggtaggtagccg 24 100 217302 5′UTR 11   99 gcgctgagctccgggagctg 50 101 217303 5′UTR 11  183 aagccaatgcacgtcacggc 18 102 217304 Start Codon 11  199 gagggtcttcatgctgaagc 19 103 217305 Coding 11  262 gttttcgctgcgggcagctt 10 104 217306 Coding 11  386 gtttttccaccttagatctg  0 105 217307 Coding 11  403 tgagatgacctgcagctgtt  0 106 217308 Coding 11  447 caggccactcctagcaccag  0 107 217309 Coding 11  457 gatgacactgcaggccactc 29 108 217311 Coding 11  586 ccacacggcccagtttcgca 64 109 217326 Coding 11  831 gggcagatgcctccagacat 15 110 217327 Coding 11  841 tcggttgacagggcagatgc 31 111 217332 Coding 11  920 gggactcagctgcacctccc 18 112 217334 Coding 11 1006 cagatcagctccatggcgca 30 113 217335 Coding 11 1051 cacctgcttgtatacctcat 41 114 217340 Coding 11 1147 gaagaggcctcggccatgga 39 115 217344 Coding 11 1209 ggctcccccacgacggtggt  0 116 217345 Coding 11 1240 ggtcgggtgctccagcttgg 28 117 217349 Coding 11 1333 agtctctggaaggccaaatt  3 118 217350 Stop Codon 11 1361 ggctgggtcagttcacctcc  0 119 217351 3′UTR 11 1383 ctcccaggagctggcacgcg 47 120 217352 3′UTR 11 1424 atgcactcaagaactcggta 60 121 217356 3′UTR 11 1536 actgactcttcccttcttaa 39 122 217357 3′UTR 11 1560 acacactagaagtgagctta 57 123 217358 3′UTR 11 1577 cctccaccttgagcaggaca 45 124 217359 3′UTR 11 1599 caccaaggcccataaatatc  6 125 217360 3′UTR 11 1605 agaaaccaccaaggcccata  0 126 217361 3′UTR 11 1653 gccagggccaagtgtctgtc 46 127 217362 3′UTR 11 1685 tggagtcactaaggactgcc 45 128 217363 3′UTR 11 1715 gggacatggcctctgcctct  0 129 217364 3′UTR 11 1746 ggtacgaggaacccgacctg 43 130 217365 3′UTR 11 1772 gccagctgtgccctcagcct  0 131 217366 3′UTR 11 1815 ccaagccgggcagtccagat 18 132 217367 3′UTR 11 1861 gggtaggctcagattggaga 35 133 217368 3′UTR 11 1908 cggcacctgtgggacagccg 32 134 217369 3′UTR 11 1946 agagtgaaaccagccaacag 23 135 217370 3′UTR 11 2002 gctcaggaggatatgcgcca 90 136 217371 3′UTR 11 2033 aagcccttcctcacaccaga  9 137 217372 3′UTR 11 2055 ggcacctctgtgaagagaag 24 138 217373 3′UTR 11 2086 tcctggacccagtgtgctgc 32 139 217374 3′UTR 11 2124 cacacacgtgaggcttggtt 31 140 217375 3′UTR 11 2209 atacaaaagtgtgacatggc 30 141 217376 3′UTR 11 2230 tccatttattagtctaggaa 76 142

As shown in Table 2, SEQ ID Nos: 21, 25, 26, 38, 39, 47, 101, 109, 114, 115, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 127, 128, 130, 133, 136 and 142 demonstrated at least 35% inhibition of mouse diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 expression in this experiment and are therefore preferred. More preferred are SEQ ID Nos: 142, 109 and 121. The target regions to which these preferred sequences are complementary are herein referred to as “preferred target segments” and are therefore preferred for targeting by compounds of the present invention. These preferred target segments are shown in Table 3. These sequences are shown to contain thymine (T) but one of skill in the art will appreciate that thymine (T) is generally replaced by uracil (U) in RNA sequences. The sequences represent the reverse complement of the preferred antisense compounds shown in Tables 1 and 2. “Target site” indicates the first (5′-most) nucleotide number on the particular target nucleic acid to which the oligonucleotide binds. Also shown in Table 3 is the species in which each of the preferred target segments was found.

TABLE 3 Sequence and position of preferred target segments identified in diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2. REV COMP TARGET OF SEQ SITE SEQ ID TARGET SEQ ID ID NO SITE SEQUENCE (5′ to 3′) ID ACTIVE IN NO 134026  4 579 cccaagaaaggtggcaggag  20 H. sapiens 143 134028  4 639 cgagactactttcccatcca  21 H. sapiens 144 134030  4 649 ttcccatccagctggtgaag  23 H. sapiens 145 134031  4 654 atccagctggtgaagacaca  24 H. sapiens 146 134032  4 659 gctggtgaagacacacaacc  25 H. sapiens 147 134033  4 664 tgaagacacacaacctgctg  26 H. sapiens 148 134034  4 669 acacacaacctgctgaccac  27 H. sapiens 149 134035  4 674 caacctgctgaccaccagga  28 H. sapiens 150 134036  4 679 tgctgaccaccaggaactat  29 H. sapiens 151 134037  4 684 accaccaggaactatatctt  30 H. sapiens 152 134038  4 689 caggaactatatctttggat  31 H. sapiens 153 134039  4 694 actatatctttggataccac  32 H. sapiens 154 134040  4 723 atcatgggcctgggtgcctt  33 H. sapiens 155 134041  4 846 gagtacctgatgtctggagg  34 H. sapiens 156 134044  4 909 aagaatgggagtggcaatgc  35 H. sapiens 157 134045  4 914 tgggagtggcaatgctatca  36 H. sapiens 158 134046  4 919 gtggcaatgctatcatcatc  37 H. sapiens 159 134047  4 924 aatgctatcatcatcgtggt  38 H. sapiens 160 134049  4 963 ctgagctccatgcctggcaa  39 H. sapiens 161 134052  4 1110 tcctggggccgatgggtcca  40 H. sapiens 162 134053  4 1115 gggccgatgggtccagaaga  41 H. sapiens 163 134054  4 1120 gatgggtccagaagaagttc  42 H. sapiens 164 134055  4 1125 gtccagaagaagttccagaa  43 H. sapiens 165 134057  4 1197 gacacctgggggctggtgcc  44 H. sapiens 166 134058  4 1202 ctgggggctggtgccctact  45 H. sapiens 167 134059  4 1207 ggctggtgccctactccaag  46 H. sapiens 168 134062  4 1309 ccatgtacatggaggccctg  47 H. sapiens 169 134063  4 1314 tacatggaggccctggtgaa  48 H. sapiens 170 134064  4 1319 ggaggccctggtgaagctct  49 H. sapiens 171 134069  4 1469 gtcatgggtgtctgtgggtt  50 H. sapiens 172 134070  4 1474 gggtgtctgtgggttattta  51 H. sapiens 173 134071  4 1479 tctgtgggttatttaaaaga  52 H. sapiens 174 250517 18 21985 tgaggaggatgctcttttgt  53 H. sapiens 175 250518 18 23110 tggactgaagcatttatagt  54 H. sapiens 176 250520 18 31611 tcccatccaggtaaagtgct  56 H. sapiens 177 250521 18 33686 catctgcctcatttcactga  57 H. sapiens 178 250522 18 35303 ttgatgtcacctcttttgag  58 H. sapiens 179 250524 18 39106 tcccttccagagctgacctg  60 H. sapiens 180 250525 18 37108 cccatggaggtccaggggaa  61 H. sapiens 181 250526  4 46 ggctgtttctctcgcgccac  62 H. sapiens 182 250527  4 134 gctctgcgcgaagccctggc  63 H. sapiens 183 250528  4 222 gcttcagccatgaagaccct  64 H. sapiens 184 250529  4 246 gccgcctactccggggtcct  65 H. sapiens 185 250530  4 441 atctcagtgctccagtgggt  66 H. sapiens 186 250532  4 987 gcagtcaccctgcggaaccg  68 H. sapiens 187 250533  4 1387 aggtgaactgagccagcctt  69 H. sapiens 188 250534  4 1401 agccttcggggccaactccc  70 H. sapiens 189 250535  4 1414 aactccctggaggaaccagc  71 H. sapiens 190 250536  4 1449 tgctctgtaaatttggaagt  72 H. sapiens 191 250537  4 1584 gcttgccctgttctaggtgg  73 H. sapiens 192 250539  4 1647 ttcttcccttcctgaagtga  75 H. sapiens 193 250540  4 1679 agtcttcttggggaagaagg  76 H. sapiens 194 250541  4 1707 tagtgacttggaccagttag  77 H. sapiens 195 250542  4 1724 tagatgattcactttttgcc  78 H. sapiens 196 250544  4 1763 agccacttctcatacaagcc  80 H. sapiens 197 250545  4 1802 acgctcgtctagtcctgaaa  81 H. sapiens 198 250546  4 1946 cctagtcactcatatcggag  82 H. sapiens 199 250547  4  1969 ggactggcctccaggatgag  83 H. sapiens 200 250548  4 1974 ggcctccaggatgaggatgg  84 H. sapiens 201 250549  4 1989 gatgggggtggcaatgacac  85 H. sapiens 202 250550  4 2055 gccgccaccatgagctaggt  86 H. sapiens 203 250551  4 2067 agctaggtggagtaactggt  87 H. sapiens 204 250552  4 2088 tttcttgggtggctgatgac  88 H. sapiens 205 250553  4 2125 tcagccttggcctggagcac  89 H. sapiens 206 250554  4 2137 tggagcacatgcttactggt  90 H. sapiens 207 250555  4 2143 acatgcttactggtggcctc  91 H. sapiens 208 250556  4 2150 tactggtggcctcagtttac  92 H. sapiens 209 250558  4 2220 ggggcctggccttctgagca  94 H. sapiens 210 250559  4 2242 agattagttccaaagcaggt  95 H. sapiens 211 250560  4 2269 gaacccaagcctcacttttc  96 H. sapiens 212 250561  4 2367 ttgcaccatgtcagactttt  97 H. sapiens 213 134018 11 99 cagctcccggagctcagcgc 101 M. musculus 214 134027 11 586 tgcgaaactgggccgtgtgg 109 M. musculus 215 134051 11 1051 atgaggtatacaagcaggtg 114 M. musculus 216 134056 11 1147 tccatggccgaggcctcttc 115 M. musculus 217 134067 11 1383 cgcgtgccagctcctgggag 120 M. musculus 218 134068 11 1424 taccgagttcttgagtgcat 121 M. musculus 219 134072 11 1536 ttaagaagggaagagtcagt 122 M. musculus 220 134073 11 1560 taagctcacttctagtgtgt 123 M. musculus 221 134074 11 1577 tgtcctgctcaaggtggagg 124 M. musculus 222 134077 11 1653 gacagacacttggccctggc 127 M. musculus 223 134078 11 1685 ggcagtccttagtgactcca 128 M. musculus 224 134080 11 1746 caggtcgggttcctcgtacc 130 M. musculus 225 134083 11 1861 tctccaatctgagcctaccc 133 M. musculus 226 134086 11 2002 tggcgcatatcctcctgagc 136 M. musculus 227 134092 11 2230 ttcctagactaataaatgga 142 M. musculus 228

As these “preferred target segments” have been found by experimentation to be open to, and accessible for, hybridization with the antisense compounds of the present invention, one of skill in the art will recognize or be able to ascertain, using no more than routine experimentation, further embodiments of the invention that encompass other compounds that specifically hybridize to these preferred target segments and consequently inhibit the expression of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2.

According to the present invention, antisense compounds include antisense oligomeric compounds, antisense oligonucleotides, siRNAs, external guide sequence (EGS) oligonucleotides, alternate splicers, and other short oligomeric compounds which hybridize to at least a portion of the target nucleic acid.

Example 17 Western Blot Analysis of Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase 2 Protein Levels

Western blot analysis (immunoblot analysis) is carried out using standard methods. Cells are harvested 16-20 h after oligonucleotide treatment, washed once with PBS, suspended in Laemmli buffer (100 ul/well), boiled for 5 minutes and loaded on a 16% SDS-PAGE gel. Gels are run for 1.5 hours at 150 V, and transferred to membrane for western blotting. Appropriate primary antibody directed to diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 is used, with a radiolabeled or fluorescently labeled secondary antibody directed against the primary antibody species. Bands are visualized using a PHOSPHORIMAGER™ instrument (Molecular Dynamics, Sunnyvale Calif.).

Example 18 Effects of Antisense Inhibition on Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase 2 Levels: In Vivo Studies in a Diet-Induced Model of Obesity

The C57BL/6 mouse strain is reported to be susceptible to hyperlipidemia-induced atherosclerotic plaque formation. Accordingly, these mice were fed a high-fat diet and used in the following studies to evaluate the effects of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 antisense oligonucleotides on mRNA expression in a model of diet-induced obesity.

Male C57BL/6 mice at 6 weeks of age were purchased from Jackson Laboratories (Ben Harbor, Me.). Mice were fed regular rodent chow (#8604, Harlan-Teklad, Madison, Wis.) for 5 days and were subsequently placed on a high-fat diet containing 60% calories from fat (Research Diet D12492, Research Diets Inc., New Brunswick, N.J.). After 8 weeks on the high-fat diet, mice were divided into one of three treatment groups of eight animals each, based on body weight. One group received subcutaneous injections of ISIS 217376 (SEQ ID No: 142) at a dose of 25 mg/kg twice per week for 7 weeks. The second group received subcutaneous injections of control oligonucleotide ISIS 141923 (CCTTCCCTGAAGGTTCCTCC, SEQ ID NO: 229) at a dose of 25 mg/kg twice per week for 7 weeks. Oligonucleotides were dissolved in 0.9% saline for injection. The third group received subcutaneous injections of saline twice weekly for 7 weeks. This saline-injected group served as the control group to which the oligonucleotide-treated groups were compared.

A group of 8 C57Bl/6 mice, fed regular rodent chow and treated with saline, was used as a normal, lean group.

ISIS 141923, which is not complementary to any known gene, is a chimeric oligonucleotide (“gapmer”) 20 nucleotides in length, composed of a central “gap” region consisting of ten 2′-deoxynucleotides, which is flanked on both sides (5′ and 3′ directions) by five-nucleotide “wings”. The wings are composed of 2′-O-methoxyethyl (2′-MOE) nucleotides. The internucleoside (backbone) linkages are phosphorothioate (P=S) throughout the oligonucleotide. All cytidine residues are 5-methylcytidines.

After the 7 week treatment period, the mice were sacrificed and diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2) mRNA levels were evaluated in liver, brown adipose tissue (BAT) and white adipose tissue (WAT). In addition, diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) mRNA levels were measured in these tissues. mRNA expression levels were quantitated by real-time PCR as described in other examples herein. The results are presented in Table 4 and are expressed as percent inhibition relative to saline-treated mice receiving a high fat diet. A “+” preceding the number indicates that gene expression was increased, rather than inhibited.

TABLE 4 Antisense inhibition of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 expression in liver, brown adipose and white adipose tissues from diet-induced obese mice % Inhibition of diacylglycerol acyltransferase mRNAs Liver WAT BAT DGAT DGAT DGAT DGAT DGAT DGAT ISIS # 2 1 2 1 2 1 141923 2 7 +26 +23 25 33 217376 80 47 87 0 78 21

The data demonstrate that diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 antisense oligonucleotide treatment can effectively inhibit target mRNA expression in liver, brown adipose and white adipose tissue. Diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 expression levels were lowered in liver and brown adipose tissue.

Body weight and food intake were monitored throughout the study. Metabolic rate was measured using indirect calorimetry in a metabolic chamber (Oxymax System, Columbus Instruments, Columbus, Ohio). Adipose tissue weight was also measured at the end of the study. Body weight, adipose tissue weight, food intake and metabolic rate were not changed in diet-induced obese mice treated with ISIS 217376.

In a similar study, animals received twice weekly, subcutaneous injections of saline, 25 mg/kg ISIS 217376 or 25 mg/kg ISIS 141923, for a period of 5 weeks. In these mice, diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 mRNA was reduced by approximately 90% in liver and white adipose fat tissues.

Example 19 Effects of Antisense Inhibition of Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase 2 on Markers of Lipid and Glucose Metabolism

In accordance with the present invention, ISIS 217376 (SEQ ID NO: 142) was tested for its ability to affect lipid and glucose metabolism in the diet-induced obese mice that received antisense oligonucleotide treatment, as described in Example 18. These mice were further evaluated at the end of the 7 week treatment period for levels of serum free fatty acids, which were measured using a NEFA C assay kit (part #994-75409, Wako Chemicals, GmbH, Germany). Also measured at the end of the 7 week treatment period were triglycerides (TRIG), cholesterol, including total cholesterol (CHOL) and high (HDL) and low (LDL) density lipoprotein cholesterol, all of which were measured using the Hitachi 717® analyzer instrument (Roche Diagnostics, Indianapolis, Ind.). The data, expressed as percent reduction relative to the saline control, are presented in Table 5.

TABLE 5 Effects of antisense inhibition of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 on serum cholesterol and lipids in diet-induced obese mice Percent Reduction in Serum Lipids Cholesterol ISIS Free Total HDL LDL # Fatty Acids TRIG CHOL CHOL CHOL 141923 17 13 13 11 30 217376 33 41 31 28 24

The results demonstrate that antisense inhibition of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 expression, which was presented in Example 18, leads to significant reductions in of 335, 41% and 31% in serum free fatty acids, serum triglycerides and total cholesterol, respectively. Furthermore, HDL cholesterol was reduced. No significant change was observed in LDL cholesterol levels.

Plasma glucose concentrations (n=8 mice) were measured at 0 (beginning of study), 3 and 7 (end of study) weeks of treatment by routine clinical analysis using a YSI2700 Select™ Biochemistry Analyzer (YSI Inc., Yellow Spring, Ohio). Plasma insulin levels (n=6 to 8 mice) were measured in the fed state at 0, 3 and 7 weeks and following a 4-hour fast at 4 weeks, using an insulin ELISA kit (#10-1137-10, ALPCO Diagnostics, Windham, N.H.) according to the manufacturer's instructions. After 4 weeks of treatment, an insulin tolerance test (n=8 mice) was performed after a 3-hour fast. After 5 weeks of treatment, a glucose tolerance test (n=8 mice) was performed after an overnight fast. For the tolerance tests, a baseline tail blood glucose measurement was obtained, after which 1.0 g/kg glucose or 0.5 units/kg insulin was administered intraperitoneally. Tail blood glucose levels were measured at 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes following the challenge with glucose or insulin, using a Glucometer® instrument (Abbott Laboratories, Bedford, Mass.).

Treatment with an antisense oligonucleotide targeted to diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 reduced plasma insulin levels by 50% in the fasted state at 4 weeks and by 69% in the fed state at the 7 weeks. Plasma glucose levels were unchanged by treatment with ISIS 217376 in diet-induced obese mice. Neither insulin sensitivity nor glucose tolerance was improved by treatment with ISIS 217376.

Example 20 Effects of Antisense Inhibition of Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase 2 on Hepatic Triglycerides and Steatosis in Diet-Induced Obese Mice

In accordance with the present invention, ISIS 217376 (SEQ ID NO: 142) was tested for its ability to affect triglyceride and glycogen content in the livers of diet-induced obese mice. The diet-induced obese mice that received antisense oligonucleotide treatment, as described in Example 18, were further evaluated at the end of the 7 week treatment period for hepatic triglycerides and glycogen content. Hepatic triglyceride content, which is evaluated by biochemical analysis of liver triglyceride concentration and histological examination of liver tissue, was used to assess hepatic steatosis, or accumulation of lipids in the liver. To measure liver tissue triglyceride concentration, triglycerides were extracted from liver tissue in HPLC-grade acetone, using a weight:volume ratio of 1:20. Triglycerides were measured using an Infinity Triglycerides Reagent Kit (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo.). Liver and muscle glycogen concentrations were measured as described by Desai, et al. (Diabetes, 2001, 50, 2287-2295). To measure glycogen concentrations, liver and muscle tissue were homogenized in 0.03 N HCl (to a final concentration of 0.5 mg/mL). 100 μl of homogenate was mixed with 400 μL of 1.25 N HCl and heated for 1 hour at 100° C. Following centrifugation of the samples at 14,000 rpm, 10 μl of the supernatant was mixed with 1 mL of glucose oxidase reagent (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo.). After a 10 minute incubation at 37° C., the absorbance was read at 505 nm. A standard curve was generated using glycogen type II from rabbit liver and used to determine the glycogen concentrations. The data for hepatic lipid and glycogen content (n=8 mice) are shown in Table 6 and are expressed as percent reduction relative to saline-treated, high-fat diet mice.

TABLE 6 Effects of antisense inhibition of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 on hepatic lipid and glycogen content Percent reduction in ISIS Hepatic Hepatic # Triglycerides Glycogen 141923 30 5 217376 56 3

The results in Table 6 demonstrate that 7 weeks of treatment with antisense oligonucleotide targeted to diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 yields a marked reduction of 56% in hepatic triglyceride content compared to saline- and control oligonucleotide-treated mice, indicating an improvement in hepatic steatosis. Hepatic glycogen content at 7 weeks, shown in Table 6, was unchanged by ISIS 217376 treatment.

In the 5-week study, hepatic triglyceride content was lowered by 62% at the end of the treatment period. Muscle glycogen content after 5 weeks of treatment was unchanged by ISIS 217376 treatment.

The reduction in hepatic triglycerides was also evaluated by histological examination of liver tissue (n=4 mice). Liver tissue was fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin and embedded in paraffin wax. Multiple adjacent 4-um sections were cut and mounted on glass slides. After dehydration, the sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, which stain nuclei and cytoplasm, respectively. This histological analysis revealed a marked improvement in hepatic steatosis following 7 weeks of treatment with ISIS 217376, as compared to saline-treated or ISIS 141923-treated mice. Thus, an improvement in hepatic steatosis was demonstrated by both histological and biochemical methods.

Example 21 Effects of Antisense Inhibition of Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase 2 on Hepatic Lipogenic and Gluconeogenic Genes

In accordance with the present invention, ISIS 217376 (SEQ ID NO: 142) was tested for its ability to affect the expression of genes involved in fatty acid synthesis and glucose metabolism. The diet-induced obese mice that received antisense oligonucleotide treatment, as described in Example 18, were further evaluated at the end of the 7 week treatment period for expression levels of genes that participate in lipid metabolism, gluconeogenesis and glucose metabolism. mRNA levels in liver and white adipose tissue were quantitated by real-time PCR as described in other examples herein, using primer-probe sets that were generated using the GenBank® accession numbers provided in Table 7. The results are presented as percent change relative to saline-treated, high-fat diet control mice and are shown in Table 7 (n=6 to 8 mice).

TABLE 7 Lipid and glucose metabolism gene expression following antisense inhibition of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 Percent Change GenBank ® ISIS ISIS Gene Name Accession # 141923 217376 Liver tissue carnitine palmitoyltransferase I NM_013495.1 −17 −49 acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 NM_000664.1 −18 −66 acetyl-CoA carboxylase 2 NM_001093.1 −5 −90 fatty acid synthase U29344.1 −48 −50 glucose-6-phosphatase, U00445.1 −27 −9 catalytic phosphoenolpyruvate NM_011044.1 +14 +23 carboxykinase 1 pyruvate kinase NM_013631.1 −47 −73 glucose transporter type 2 NM_031197.1 −6 +8 pyruvate dehydrogenase alpha NM_008810.1 −22 −25 subunit glycogen phosphorylase AF288783 −2 −19 HMGCoA reductase M62766.1 −19 −45 ATP-citrate lyase AF332052 −13 47 Stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 NM_009127 −17 −4 Glycerol kinase NM_008194 −13 −37 Lipoprotein lipase BC003305.1 +28 +15 sterol regulatory element- AB017337.1 −22 −43 binding protein-1 Ppar gamma AB011365.1 −20 −35 White adipose tissue glucose transporter 4 AB008453.1 +85 +8 glucose transporter type 2 NM_031197.1 −7 +3 hormone sensitive lipase U08188.1 +75 +42 lipoprotein lipase NM_000237.1 +13 −25

These data demonstrate that treatment with ISIS 217376, in addition to reducing the expression of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 mRNA in diet-induced obese mice, caused concordant reductions in the expression of additional genes that participate in lipid metabolism. For example, in liver, decreases were observed in the expression of genes involved in triglyceride synthesis (e.g., glycerol kinase), de novo fatty acid synthesis (e.g., ATP-citrate lyase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1, acetyl-CoA carboxylase 2 and fatty acid synthase) fatty acid oxidation (e.g., carnitine palmitoyltransferase I), fatty acid desaturation (e.g., stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1) and cholesterol synthesis (e.g., HMG-CoA reductase). Furthermore, the expression of glycogen phosphorylase, which participates in glycogen metabolism, was reduced following ISIS 217376 treatment of diet-induced obese mice. Lipoprotein lipase, which participates in fatty acid storage in adipose tissue, exhibited reduced expression as well. The expression of sterol regulatory binding element protein 1, which functions as a hepatic transcription factor in the context of lipid metabolism, was lowered in diet-induced mice treated with ISIS 217376, as compared to control groups. The expression levels of genes related to gluconeogenesis (e.g., glucose-6-phosphatase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1), glucose uptake in both liver and fat (e.g., glucose transporter type 2 and glucose transporter type 4) and lipid homeostasis in fat (e.g., hormone sensitive lipase and lipoprotein lipase) were not significantly lowered.

These data demonstrate that antisense inhibition of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 results in the down-regulation of genes in the lipogenic pathway.

Example 22 Effects of Antisense Inhibition of Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase 2 in the Ob/Ob Mouse Model of Obesity

Leptin is a hormone produced by fat that regulates appetite. Deficiencies in this hormone in both humans and non-human animals leads to obesity. ob/ob mice have a mutation in the leptin gene which results in obesity and hyperglycemia. As such, these mice are a useful model for the investigation of obesity and treatments designed to reduce obesity.

In accordance with the present invention, the effects of antisense inhibition of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 were investigated in the ob/ob mouse model of obesity. Male ob/ob (C57Bl/6J-Lep^(ob)/Lep^(ob)) mice at 6-7 weeks of age were purchased from Jackson Laboratories (Bar Harbor, Me.). During a 1 week acclimation period and throughout the study, mice were fed a diet with a fat content of 10-15% (Labdiets #5015, Purina, St. Louis, Mo.). After the 1 week acclimation period, mice were placed into treatment groups based on body weight, as well as tail blood glucose, which was measured using a Glucometer® instrument (Abbott Laboratories, Bedford, Mass.) as described herein. For a period of 4 weeks, mice received subcutaneous, twice-weekly injections of ISIS 217376 (SEQ ID NO: 142) or ISIS 116847 (CTGCTAGCCTCTGGATTTGA, SEQ ID NO: 230) at a dose of 25 mg/kg. ISIS 116847 does not target the diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 gene and was used as a control. A group of saline-injected mice served as the control group to which the oligonucleotide-treated animals were compared. Each group contained 10 animals.

ISIS 116847 is a chimeric oligonucleotide (“gapmer”) 20 nucleotides in length, composed of a central “gap” region consisting of ten 2′-deoxynucleotides, which is flanked on both sides (5′ and 3′ directions) by five-nucleotide “wings”. The wings are composed of 2′-O-methoxyethyl (2′-MOE) nucleotides. The internucleoside (backbone) linkages are phosphorothioate (P═S) throughout the oligonucleotide. All cytidine residues are 5-methylcytidines. A group of saline-injected mice served as an untreated control. Each treatment group consisted of 8 mice.

At the end of the four week treatment period, the mice were sacrificed and target expression, as well as diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 expression, was measured in liver and fat tissue. mRNA expression was quantitated by real-time PCR as described in other examples herein. These organs were also weighed. The data are expressed as percent inhibition relative to saline control and are presented in Table 8. A “+” preceding the number indicates that gene expression was increased, rather than inhibited.

TABLE 8 Antisense inhibition of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 mRNA expression in liver and fat tissues from ob/ob mice % Inhibition of diacylglycerol acyltransferase mRNAs Liver Fat tissue ISIS # DGAT 2 DGAT 1 DGAT 2 DGAT 1 116847 17 11 14 16 217376 83 7 90 +14

The results shown in Table 8 illustrate that treatment of ob/ob mice with ISIS 217376 effectively inhibited, by 83% and 90%, the expression of target mRNA in both liver and fat tissues, respectively. Liver weight was reduced by 21% in ob/ob mice treated with the antisense oligonucleotide of the present invention, but fat tissue weight was not significantly changed. No significant reduction in diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 mRNA expression was observed.

Throughout the study period, body weight and food intake were monitored, however, no changes were observed in ISIS 217376-treated mice relative to saline-treated mice. Similarly, no change was observed in adipose tissue weight. Metabolic rate, measured as described herein, was also unchanged following treatment with ISIS 217376.

The expression of genes involved in lipogenesis, for example, fatty acid synthase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 and acetyl-CoA carboxylase 2, were decreased following treatment with ISIS 217386.

Example 23 Effects of Antisense Inhibition of Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase 2 in ob/ob Mice on Serum and Liver Lipid Content

In accordance with the present invention, ISIS 217376 (SEQ ID NO: 142) was tested for its effect on serum lipids and free fatty acids, as well as tissue triglyceride levels, in ob/ob mice.

The ob/ob mice that received antisense oligonucleotide treatment, as described in Example 22, were further evaluated at the end of the 4 week treatment period for serum free fatty acids, serum cholesterol (CHOL), and serum, liver tissue and fat tissue triglycerides (TRIG), all of which were measured as described herein. Hepatic steatosis, or accumulation of lipids in the liver, was assessed biochemically and histologically, as described herein. The data describing serum and tissue lipid levels, shown in Table 9, are expressed as percent reduction relative to saline-treated control ob/ob mice. As in Example 22, the results are the average of measurements from 8 mice.

TABLE 9 Serum and tissue lipid content following antisense inhibition of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 % Reduction of serum and tissue lipid content Serum Lipids Free Tissue TRIG ISIS # TRIG CHOL Fatty Acids Liver Fat 116847 22 10 8 12 14 217376 0 0 22 21 13

The data illustrate that antisense inhibition of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 in ob/ob mice causes a reduction of 21% in triglyceride levels in liver tissue and a reduction of 22% in serum free fatty acids. The decrease in liver tissue triglyceride content indicates an improvement in hepatic steatosis. Furthermore, histological evaluation of liver tissue indicated a marked improvement in hepatic steatosis. No significant change in serum triglyceride, fat tissue triglyceride or cholesterol was observed.

Example 24 Plasma Insulin and Glucose Levels Following Antisense Inhibition of Diacylglycerolacyltransferase 2 in ob/ob Mice

In accordance with the present invention, the ob/ob mice treated as described in Example 22 were further evaluated for insulin and glucose levels. Plasma glucose was measured at the start of the antisense oligonucleotide treatment and after 2 weeks and 4 weeks of treatment. Plasma insulin was measured as described herein following 2 weeks and 4 weeks of treatment. After 3 weeks of treatment, glucose and insulin tolerance tests were also performed (as described herein) in mice fasting for 16 and 4 hours, respectively. Relative to saline-treated control ob/ob mice, plasma insulin in ob/ob mice receiving ISIS 217376 was reduced by 43% at both 2 weeks and 4 weeks of antisense oligonucleotide treatment. No significant change was observed in plasma glucose levels, and no improvements in glucose tolerance or insulin sensitivity were observed.

Example 25 Effects of Antisense Inhibition of Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase 2 in the db/db Mouse Model of Obesity

A deficiency in the leptin hormone receptor mice also results in obesity and hyperglycemia. These mice are referred to as db/db mice and, like the ob/ob mice, are used as a mouse model of obesity.

In accordance with the present invention, antisense inhibition of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 with ISIS 217276 (SEQ ID NO: 142) was investigated for its effects in db/db mice. Six-week old male db/db (C57Bl/6J_Lepr^(db)/Lepr^(db)) mice were fed a 15-20% fat diet (Labdiets #5008, Purina, St. Louis, Mo.) for a 7-day acclimation period and throughout the study. Following the acclimation period, the mice were placed into treatment groups based on body weight, as well as tail blood glucose, which was measured using a Glucometer® instrument (Abbott Laboratories, Bedford, Mass.) as described herein. Mice received subcutaneous injections of ISIS 217376 (SEQ ID NO: 142) or the control oligonucleotide ISIS 116847 (CTGCTAGCCTCTGGATTTGA, SEQ ID NO: 230) at a dose of 25 mg/kg twice per week for 5 weeks. A group of saline-injected mice served as untreated controls. Each treatment group contained 10 mice.

After the 5 week treatment period, mice were sacrificed and diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 mRNA levels (n=4 mice) were evaluated in liver, brown adipose tissue (BAT) and white adipose tissue (WAT). Diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 mRNA levels were also measured in these tissues. mRNA expression levels were quantitated by real-time PCR as described in other examples herein. In addition, liver triglycerides (n=6 mice) and plasma glucose (n=8 mice) were measured as described herein. The results are presented in Table 10 and are expressed as percent inhibition (for mRNA expression) or reduction (for glucose and triglycerides) relative to saline treated mice. An increase in gene expression or liver triglycerides is indicated by a “+” preceding the number. Liver tissue samples were processed for histological examination, as described herein, for the evaluation of hepatic steatosis, or accumulation of lipids in the liver. Liver sections were stained with oil red O stain, which is commonly used to visualize lipid deposits, and counterstained with hematoxylin and eosin, to visualize nuclei and cytoplasm, respectively.

TABLE 10 Effects of antisense inhibition of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 in db/db mice Treatment Biological Marker ISIS ISIS Measured 116847 217376 Week % Reduction in 0 0 0 plasma glucose 2 34 5 4 55 14 % Reduction in 4 +41 41 liver triglycerides mRNA expression in tissue % Inhibition Liver +17 95 of diacyglycerol WAT 0 80 acyltransferase 2 BAT 19 87 % Inhibition Liver +9 +5 of diacyglycerol WAT +11 5 acyltransferase 1 BAT 13 28

These data illustrate that target mRNA expression was effectively inhibited by 95%, 80% and 87% in liver, white adipose and brown adipose tissues, respectively, of db/db mice treated with ISIS 217376. Furthermore, inhibition of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 expression in db/db mice resulted in a 41% reduction in hepatic triglyceride content as measured biochemically and marked reductions in lipid accumulation as measured histologically, demonstrating an improvement in hepatic steatosis. No significant change in plasma glucose was observed.

The expression of genes involved in lipogenesis, for example, fatty acid synthase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 and acetyl-CoA carboxylase 2 were decreased following treatment with ISIS 217386.

Together with the data described herein, these data illustrate that the antisense inhibition of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 in mouse models of diet-induced obesity, leptin deficiency and defects in leptin signaling reduced hepatic steatosis and hepatic lipogenesis, as well as hyperlipidimia.

Example 26 Design and Screening of siRNAs Targeting Human Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase 2

In a further embodiment, a series of nucleic acid duplexes (siRNAs) was designed to target human diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 mRNA (SEQ ID NO: 4) and is shown in Table 11. All compounds in Table 11 are oligoribonucleotides 19 nucleotides in length with phosphodiester internucleoside linkages (backbones) throughout the compound. The compounds were prepared as described herein with blunt ends. Table 11 shows the antisense strand of the siRNA, and the sense strand is synthesized as the complement of the antisense strand. These sequences are shown to contain uracil (U) but one of skill in the art will appreciate that uracil (U) is generally replaced by thymine (T) in DNA sequences. “Target site” indicates the first (5′-most) nucleotide number on the particular target sequence to which the compound binds.

The compounds in Table 11 were tested for their effects on human diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 mRNA levels in A549 cells. siRNA controls that do not target human diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 included the duplex of ISIS 335449 (TTTGTCTCTGGTCCTTACTT; incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 231) and its complement, and the duplex of ISIS 359661 (TTATCGCTTCTCGTTGCTT; incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 232) and its complement. ISIS 335449 is an oligoribonucleotide 20 nucleotides in length with phosphodiester internucleoside linkages (backbones) throughout the compound. ISIS 359661 is an oligoribonucleotide 19 nucleotides in length with phosphodiester internucleoside linkages (backbones) throughout the compound. Both ISIS 335449 and ISIS 359661 and their complements were prepared with blunt ends. Control RNase H oligonucleotides were the gapmers ISIS 141923 (SEQ ID NO: 229) and ISIS 129700 (TAGTGCGGACCTACCCACGA; incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 233), neither of which targets human diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2. ISIS 129700 is a chimeric oligonucleotide (“gapmer”) 20 nucleotides in length, composed of a central “gap” region consisting of 9 2′-deoxynucleotides, which is flanked on the 5′ and 3′ ends by a five-nucleotide “wing” and a six-nucleotide “wing”, respectively. The wings are composed of 2′-O-methoxyethyl (2′-MOE) nucleotides. The internucleoside (backbone) linkages are phosphorothioate (P═S) throughout the oligonucleotide. All cytidines are 5-methylcytidines.

A549 cells were treated with 150 nM of siRNA compounds mixed with 15 μg/mL LIPOFECTIN™ reagent (Invitrogen Corporation, Carlsbad, Calif.) or with 150 nM of single-strand oligonucleotides mixed with 15 μg/mL LIPOFECTIN™ reagent for a period of 4 hours, followed by 20 hours of culture in normal growth medium.

Human diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 mRNA expression was measured by quantitative real-time PCR as described herein. Results were normalized to untreated control cells, which were not treated with dsRNA compounds or RNase H oligonucleotides. Data are the average of 2 experiments and are presented in Table 11. Where present, “N.D.” indicates “not determined”.

TABLE 11 Inhibition of human diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 mRNA by dsRNAs in A549 cells TARGET SEQ ISIS SEQ ID Target % ID # REGION NO Site SEQUENCE INHIB NO 361884 5′ UTR 4   36 GAAACAGCCUAGACCCCAG  0 234 361885 Coding 4  388 AGCCAGGUGACAGAGAAGA 23 235 361886 Coding 4  408 UUUCCACCUUGGACCUAUU 24 236 361887 Coding 4  502 GUGCAGAAUAUGUACAUGA 22 237 361888 Coding 4  629 GUAGUCUCGAAAGUAGCGC 82 238 361889 Coding 4  766 AACUUCUUGCUCACUUCUG 55 239 361890 Coding 4  776 UAUGCCUGGGAACUUCUUG 50 240 361891 Coding 4  882 AAUAGUCUAUGGUGUCCCG 66 241 361892 Coding 4  892 UUUGAAAGCAAAUAGUCUA 89 242 361893 Coding 4  917 GAUGAUAGCAUUGCCACUC 87 243 361894 Coding 4  922 ACGAUGAUGAUAGCAUUGC 44 244 361895 Coding 4 1051 CCAAAGGAGUAGAUGGGAA 31 245 361896 Coding 4 1070 CUUGUACACUUCAUUCUCU 20 246 361897 Coding 4 1080 AGAUCACCUGCUUGUACAC 52 247 361898 Coding 4 1136 ACCAAUGUAUUUCUGGAAC 55 248 361899 Coding 4 1216 GUGAUGGGCUUGGAGUAGG  2 249 361900 Coding 4 1320 AGAGCUUCACCAGGGCCUC 36 250 361901 Coding 4 1330 UGCUUGUCGAAGAGCUUCA 77 251 361902 Coding 4 1340 CUUGGUCUUGUGCUUGUCG 73 252 361903 3′ UTR 4 1459 ACCCAUGACACUUCCAAAU 50 253 361904 3′ UTR 4 1500 UUAGCAAAAUUGUUAUAAU  6 254 361905 3′ UTR 4 1510 UUGUAAUGGUUUAGCAAAA 42 255 361906 3′ UTR 4 1520 AGACCUAACAUUGUAAUGG N.D. 256 361907 3′ UTR 4 1550 UUGAAAUACUGACUUUUUC 55 257 361908 3′ UTR 4 1560 GUGAAAGAACUUGAAAUAC 42 258 361909 3′ UTR 4 1570 CAAGCUGGAAGUGAAAGAA 47 259 361910 3′ UTR 4 1660 GAGUUUCCUUUGUCACUUC 25 260 361911 3′ UTR 4 1690 UAAUGGCAAUCCUUCUUCC 36 261 361912 3′ UTR 4 1900 UCAAACUGGAGCAUUCCAG 55 262 361913 3′ UTR 4 1910 AGAAGGGAGAUCAAACUGG 22 263 361914 3′ UTR 4 2076 CAAGAAAAACCAGUUACUC  4 264 361915 3′ UTR 4 2231 ACUAAUCUGCUGCUCAGAA 52 265 361916 3′ UTR 4 2280 GGAAGGCACAGAAAAGUGA 41 266 361917 3′ UTR 4 2335 AGAUAACAGAACACACAGG 24 267 361918 3′ UTR 4 2345 UCUCAUCAAGAGAUAACAG 33 268 361919 3′ UTR 4 2355 GGUGCAAUGAUCUCAUCAA 29 269 361920 3′ UTR 4 2380 CAAGGCAUAUACAAAAGUC 41 270

These data demonstrated that siRNAs targeted to diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2, for example, duplexes of ISIS 361888, ISIS 361892, ISIS 361893, ISIS 361901 and ISIS 361902, and their respective complements, inhibited expression of the target mRNA.

Example 27 Inhibition of Mouse Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase 2 mRNA Expression in Mouse Primary Hepatocytes: Dose Response Studies

In a further embodiment, four oligonucleotides targeted to mouse diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 were selected for additional dose-response studies. These compounds were ISIS 217312 (SEQ ID NO: 21), ISIS 217311 (SEQ ID NO: 109), ISIS 217352 (SEQ ID NO: 121), and ISIS 217376 (SEQ ID NO: 142). ISIS 129690 (TTAGAATACGTCGCGTTATG, incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 271), and ISIS 129696 (ATTCGCCAGACAACACTGAC, incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 272) which are not targeted to diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2, served as controls. ISIS 129690 and ISIS 129696 are chimeric oligonucleotides (“gapmers”) 20 nucleotides in length, composed of a central “gap” region consisting of ten 2′-deoxynucleotides, which is flanked on both sides (5′ and 3′ directions) by five-nucleotide “wings”. The wings are composed of 2′-O-methoxyethyl (2′-MOE) nucleotides. The internucleoside (backbone) linkages are phosphorothioate (P═S) throughout the oligonucleotide. All cytidine residues are 5-methylcytidines.

Primary mouse hepatocytes were prepared from CD-1 mice purchased from Charles River Labs (Wilmington, Mass.). Primary mouse hepatocytes were routinely cultured in William's Medium E, supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, 1% penicillin/streptomycin, 2 mM L-glutamine, and 0.01 M HEPES (medium and supplements from Invitrogen Corporation, Carlsbad, Calif.). Cells were seeded into 96-well plates (Falcon-Primaria #3872, BD Biosciences) coated with 0.1 mg/ml collagen at a density of approximately 10,000 cells/well for use in oligonucleotide transfection experiments. Cells were transfected using OPTI-MEM™ medium containing 2.5 μl per 100 nM of oligonucleotide.

Diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 mRNA expression was quantitated by real-time PCR as described herein. Results of these studies are shown in Table 12. Data are averages from three experiments and are expressed as percent inhibition of untreated control. Also shown is the IC50 for each oligonucleotide, which represents the concentration required for 50% inhibition of target expression. Where present, “N.D.” indicates not determined.

TABLE 12 Inhibition of mouse diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 mRNA expression in mouse primary hepatocytes: dose response % Inhibition SEQ ID Dose of oligonucleotide (nM) IC50 ISIS # NO 6.25 25 100 400 (nM) 217311 102 0 1 38 40 406 217312 21 0 10 32 45 407 217352 121 0 27 65 71 215 217376 142 0 15 68 91 173 129690 271 9 0 0 0 N.D. 129696 272 0 0 0 0 N.D.

As demonstrated in Table 12, ISIS 217311, ISIS 217312, ISIS 217352 and ISIS 217376 inhibited diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner.

Example 28 Inhibition of Mouse Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase 2 in Primary Mouse Hepatocytes: Additional Dose Response Studies

In a further embodiment, an additional antisense compound was designed to target mouse diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 RNA, using published sequence data (GenBank accession number AF384160.1, incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 273). The compound was designated ISIS 287498 (ATGCACTCGAGAACTCGGTA, incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 274), and the target site is nucleotide 1277 of the 3′ UTR region of SEQ ID NO: 4.

ISIS 287498 and ISIS 217352 (SEQ ID NO: 121) were analyzed for their effects on mouse diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 mRNA. Control oligonucleotides were ISIS 129686 (CGTTATTAACCTCCGTTGAA, incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 275) and 129690 (SEQ ID NO: 271). ISIS 129686 and ISIS 129690 are not targeted to diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2. ISIS 129686 and ISIS 287498 are chimeric oligonucleotides (“gapmers”) 20 nucleotides in length, composed of a central “gap” region consisting of ten 2′-deoxynucleotides, which is flanked on both sides (5′ and 3′ directions) by five-nucleotide “wings”. The wings are composed of 2′-O-methoxyethyl (2′-MOE) nucleotides. The internucleoside (backbone) linkages are phosphorothioate (P═S) throughout the oligonucleotide. All cytidine residues are 5-methylcytidines.

Primary mouse hepatocytes, isolated and cultured as described in Example 27, were treated with 50, 100, 200, and 400 nM of ISIS 287498, ISIS 217352, ISIS 129686 and ISIS 129690. Diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 mRNA levels were quantitated by real-time PCR as described herein. Results of these studies are shown in Table 13. Data are averages from three experiments and are expressed as percent inhibition normalized to expression in untreated control cells.

TABLE 13 Inhibition of mouse diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 mRNA expression in primary mouse hepatocytes: dose response % Inhibition SEQ ID Dose of oligonucleotide (nM) ISIS # NO 50 100 200 400 217352 121 56 73 84 87 287498 274 61 79 90 89 129686 275 4 0 0 0 129690 271 0 0 0 0

As demonstrated in Table 13, ISIS 217352 and ISIS 287498 inhibited diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner.

Example 29 Chimeric Phosphorothioate Oligonucleotides Having 2′-MOE Wings and a Deoxy Gap Targeting Human Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase 2

In a further embodiment, an additional series of antisense compounds was designed to target different regions of the human diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 RNA, using published sequence data (SEQ ID NO: 4 and SEQ ID NO: 18). The compounds are shown in Tables 14 and 15. “Target site” indicates the first (5′-most) nucleotide number on the particular target sequence to which the compound binds. All compounds in Tables 14 and 15 are chimeric oligonucleotides (“gapmers”) 20 nucleotides in length. The compounds in Table 14 are composed of a central “gap” region consisting of ten 2′-deoxynucleotides, which is flanked on both sides (5′ and 3′ directions) by five-nucleotide “wings”. The wings are composed of 2′-O-methoxyethyl (2′-MOE) nucleotides. The compounds in Table 15 are composed of a central “gap” region consisting of sixteen 2′-deoxynucleotides, which is flanked on both sides (5′ and 3′ directions) by two-nucleotide “wings”. The wings are composed of 2′-O-methoxyethyl (2′-MOE) nucleotides. In all compounds the internucleoside (backbone) linkages are phosphorothioate (P═S) throughout the oligonucleotides. All cytidine residues are 5-methylcytidines.

TABLE 14 Chimeric phosphorothioate oligonucleotides having 5-nucleotide 2′-MOE wings and a 10-nucleotide deoxy gap targeted to human diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 mRNA TARGET SEQ ISIS SEQ TARGET ID # REGION ID NO SITE SEQUENCE (5′ to 3′) NO 366703 5′ UTR 4   75 ACACCTGGAGCTGCGGCCGG 277 366704 5′ UTR 4   80 CTAGGACACCTGGAGCTGCG 278 366705 Start Codon 4  229 GGCTATGAGGGTCTTCATGG 279 366706 Coding 4  234 TAGGCGGCTATGAGGGTCTT 280 366707 Coding 4  344 TGGATCCAGTGCCCCATCTC 281 366708 Coding 4  359 GGGCGGAGAGGATGCTGGAT 282 366709 Coding 4  364 CTGGAGGGCGGAGAGGATGC 283 366710 Coding 4  396 GACCTATTGAGCCAGGTGAC 284 366711 Coding 4  401 CCTTGGACCTATTGAGCCAG 285 366712 Coding 4  406 TTCCACCTTGGACCTATTGA 286 366713 Coding 4  411 TGCTTTTCCACCTTGGACCT 287 366714 Coding 4  416 GTAGCTGCTTTTCCACCTTG 288 366715 Coding 4  435 TGGAGCACTGAGATGACCTG 289 366716 Coding 4  450 AAGGACAGGACCCACTGGAG 290 366717 Coding 4  457 TACAAGGAAGGACAGGACCC 291 366718 Coding 4  462 CCCAGTACAAGGAAGGACAG 292 366719 Coding 4  486 ATGAGGATGGCACTGCAGGC 293 366720 Coding 4  491 TGTACATGAGGATGGCACTG 294 366721 Coding 4  496 GAATATGTACATGAGGATGG 295 366722 Coding 4  501 GTGCAGAATATGTACATGAG 296 366723 Coding 4  522 ACAGCGATGAGCCAGCAATC 297 366724 Coding 4  528 TAGAGCACAGCGATGAGCCA 298 366725 Coding 4  533 TGAAGTAGAGCACAGCGATG 299 366726 Coding 4  538 CCAAGTGAAGTAGAGCACAG 300 366727 Coding 4  553 CCAGTCAAACACCAGCCAAG 301 366728 Coding 4  728 TGCAGAAGGCACCCAGGCCC 302 366729 Coding 4  766 GAACTTCTTGCTCACTTCTG 303 366730 Coding 4  950 AGCTCAGAGACTCAGCCGCA 304 366731 Coding 4  955 CATGGAGCTCAGAGACTCAG 305 366732 Coding 4  970 TGCATTCTTGCCAGGCATGG 306 366733 Coding 4  980 GCAGGGTGACTGCATTCTTG 307 366734 Coding 4 1002 TTCACAAAGCCCTTGCGGTT 308 366735 Coding 4 1069 CTTGTACACTTCATTCTCTC 309 366736 Coding 4 1079 AGATCACCTGCTTGTACACT 310 366737 Coding 4 1104 CATCGGCCCCAGGAGCCCTC 311 366738 Coding 4 1134 CCAATGTATTTCTGGAACTT 312 366739 Coding 4 1139 CGAAACCAATGTATTTCTGG 313 366740 Coding 4 1189 CCCCCAGGTGTCGGAGGAGA 314 366741 Coding 4 1216 GGTGATGGGCTTGGAGTAGG 315 366742 Coding 4 1293 ATGGTGTGGTACAGGTCGAT 316 366743 Coding 4 1298 TGTACATGGTGTGGTACAGG 317 366744 Coding 4 1325 TGTCGAAGAGCTTCACCAGG 318 366745 Coding 4 1330 GTGCTTGTCGAAGAGCTTCA 319 366746 Coding 4 1337 TGGTCTTGTGCTTGTCGAAG 320 366747 Coding 4 1342 GAACTTGGTCTTGTGCTTGT 321 366748 Coding 4 1347 AGGCCGAACTTGGTCTTGTG 322 366749 3′ UTR 4 1513 AACATTGTAATGGTTTAGCA 323 366750 3′ UTR 4 1518 GACCTAACATTGTAATGGTT 324 366751 3′ UTR 4 1523 AAAAAGACCTAACATTGTAA 325 366752 3′ UTR 4 1591 TTAGCCACCACCTAGAACAG 326 366753 3′ UTR 4 1596 CAGATTTAGCCACCACCTAG 327 366754 3′ UTR 4 1601 AGGCCCAGATTTAGCCACCA 328 366755 3′ UTR 4 1606 AGATTAGGCCCAGATTTAGC 329 366756 3′ UTR 4 1611 CACCCAGATTAGGCCCAGAT 330 366757 3′ UTR 4 1616 TGAGCCACCCAGATTAGGCC 331 366758 3′ UTR 4 1621 TTAGCTGAGCCACCCAGATT 332 366759 3′ UTR 4 1719 AAAGTGAATCATCTAACTGG 333 366760 3′ UTR 4 1808 CTGCAGTTTCAGGACTAGAC 334 366761 3′ UTR 4 1818 GAAACTGGTCCTGCAGTTTC 335 366762 3′ UTR 4 1823 GCAGAGAAACTGGTCCTGCA 336 366763 3′ UTR 4 1828 CCTTGGCAGAGAAACTGGTC 337 366764 3′ UTR 4 1887 ATTCCAGATGCCTACTACTG 338 366765 3′ UTR 4 1892 GGAGCATTCCAGATGCCTAC 339 366766 3′ UTR 4 2049 CTCATGGTGGCGGCATCCTC 340 366767 3′ UTR 4 2076 CCAAGAAAAACCAGTTACTC 341 366768 3′ UTR 4 2081 GCCACCCAAGAAAAACCAGT 342 366769 3′ UTR 4 2096 GCATCCATGTCATCAGCCAC 343

TABLE 15 Chimeric phosphorothioate oligonucleotides having 2-nucleotide 2′-MOE wings and a 16-nucleotide deoxy gap targeted to human diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 mRNA Target SEQ ISIS SEQ TARGET ID # REGION ID NO SITE SEQUENCE (5′ to 3′) NO 370718 5′ UTR 4 78 AGGACACCTGGAGCTGCGGC 344 370719 Start Codon 4 232 GGCGGCTATGAGGGTCTTCA 345 370720 Coding 4 237 GAGTAGGCGGCTATGAGGGT 346 370721 Coding 4 249 CGCAGGACCCCGGAGTAGGC 347 370722 Coding 4 347 TGCTGGATCCAGTGCCCCAT 348 370723 Coding 4 367 GTCCTGGAGGGCGGAGAGGA 349 370724 Coding 4 399 TTGGACCTATTGAGCCAGGT 350 370725 Coding 4 404 CCACCTTGGACCTATTGAGC 351 370726 Coding 4 409 CTTTTCCACCTTGGACCTAT 352 370727 Coding 4 414 AGCTGCTTTTCCACCTTGGA 353 370728 Coding 4 438 CACTGGAGCACTGAGATGAC 354 370729 Coding 4 453 AGGAAGGACAGGACCCACTG 355 370730 Coding 4 460 CAGTACAAGGAAGGACAGGA 356 370731 Coding 4 489 TACATGAGGATGGCACTGCA 357 370732 Coding 4 494 ATATGTACATGAGGATGGCA 358 370733 Coding 4 499 GCAGAATATGTACATGAGGA 359 370734 Coding 4 504 TCAGTGCAGAATATGTACAT 360 370735 Coding 4 525 AGCACAGCGATGAGCCAGCA 361 370736 Coding 4 531 AAGTAGAGCACAGCGATGAG 362 370737 Coding 4 536 AAGTGAAGTAGAGCACAGCG 363 370738 Coding 4 541 CAGCCAAGTGAAGTAGAGCA 364 370739 Coding 4 556 GTTCCAGTCAAACACCAGCC 365 370740 Coding 4 657 TTGTGTGTCTTCACCAGCTG 366 370741 Coding 4 662 GCAGGTTGTGTGTCTTCACC 367 370742 Coding 4 667 GGTCAGCAGGTTGTGTGTCT 368 370743 Coding 4 682 GATATAGTTCCTGGTGGTCA 369 370744 Coding 4 769 TGGGAACTTCTTGCTCACTT 370 370745 Coding 4 912 ATAGCATTGCCACTCCCATT 371 370746 Coding 4 917 TGATGATAGCATTGCCACTC 372 370747 Coding 4 953 TGGAGCTCAGAGACTCAGCC 373 370748 Coding 4 958 AGGCATGGAGCTCAGAGACT 374 370749 Coding 4 973 GACTGCATTCTTGCCAGGCA 375 370750 Coding 4 983 TCCGCAGGGTGACTGCATTC 376 370751 Coding 4 1005 AGTTTCACAAAGCCCTTGCG 377 370752 Coding 4 1072 CTGCTTGTACACTTCATTCT 378 370753 Coding 4 1082 CGAAGATCACCTGCTTGTAC 379 370754 Coding 4 1107 ACCCATCGGCCCCAGGAGCC 380 370755 Coding 4 1137 AAACCAATGTATTTCTGGAA 381 370756 Coding 4 1142 GGGCGAAACCAATGTATTTC 382 370757 Coding 4 1192 CAGCCCCCAGGTGTCGGAGG 383 370758 Coding 4 1219 AGTGGTGATGGGCTTGGAGT 384 370759 Coding 4 1296 TACATGGTGTGGTACAGGTC 385 370760 Coding 4 1301 CCATGTACATGGTGTGGTAC 386 370761 Coding 4 1328 GCTTGTCGAAGAGCTTCACC 387 370762 Coding 4 1340 ACTTGGTCTTGTGCTTGTCG 388 370763 Coding 4 1345 GCCGAACTTGGTCTTGTGCT 389 370764 Coding 4 1350 GGGAGGCCGAACTTGGTCTT 390 370765 3′ UTR 4 1516 CCTAACATTGTAATGGTTTA 391 370766 3′ UTR 4 1521 AAAGACCTAACATTGTAATG 392 370767 3′ UTR 4 1594 GATTTAGCCACCACCTAGAA 393 370768 3′ UTR 4 1599 GCCCAGATTTAGCCACCACC 394 370769 3′ UTR 4 1604 ATTAGGCCCAGATTTAGCCA 395 370770 3′ UTR 4 1609 CCCAGATTAGGCCCAGATTT 396 370771 3′ UTR 4 1614 AGCCACCCAGATTAGGCCCA 397 370772 3′ UTR 4 1619 AGCTGAGCCACCCAGATTAG 398 370773 3′ UTR 4 1624 AGGTTAGCTGAGCCACCCAG 399 370774 3′ UTR 4 1722 CAAAAAGTGAATCATCTAAC 400 370775 3′ UTR 4 1811 GTCCTGCAGTTTCAGGACTA 401 370776 3′ UTR 4 1821 AGAGAAACTGGTCCTGCAGT 402 370777 3′ UTR 4 1826 TTGGCAGAGAAACTGGTCCT 403 370778 3′ UTR 4 1831 TCCCCTTGGCAGAGAAACTG 404 370779 3′ UTR 4 1890 AGCATTCCAGATGCCTACTA 405 370780 3′ UTR 4 1895 ACTGGAGCATTCCAGATGCC 406 370781 3′ UTR 4 2052 TAGCTCATGGTGGCGGCATC 407 370782 3′ UTR 4 2079 CACCCAAGAAAAACCAGTTA 408 370783 3′ UTR 4 2084 TCAGCCACCCAAGAAAAACC 409 370784 3′ UTR 4 2099 GCTGCATCCATGTCATCAGC 410 370785 Intron 4 18 33689 CTATCAGTGAAATGAGGCAG 411

Example 30 Chimeric Phosphorothioate Oligonucleotides Having 2′-MOE Wings and a Deoxy Gap and Targeting Rat Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase 2

In a further embodiment, a series of antisense compounds was designed to target different regions of the rat diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 RNA, using published sequence data (GenBank accession number XM_(—)341887.1, incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 412, GenBank accession number AA956461.1, the complement of which is incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 413). The compounds are shown in Table 16. “Target site” indicates the first (5′-most) nucleotide number on the particular target sequence to which the compound binds. All compounds in Table 16 are chimeric oligonucleotides (“gapmers”) 20 nucleotides in length, composed of a central “gap” region consisting of ten 2′-deoxynucleotides, which is flanked on both sides (5′ and 3′ directions) by five-nucleotide “wings”. The wings are composed of 2′-O-methoxyethyl (2′-MOE) nucleotides. The internucleoside (backbone) linkages are phosphorothioate (P═S) throughout the oligonucleotides. All cytidine residues are 5-methylcytidines.

TABLE 16 Chimeric phosphorothioate oligonucleotides having 2′-MOE wings and a deoxy gap and targeting rat diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 mRNA TARGET SEQ ISIS SEQ ID TARGET ID # REGION NO SITE SEQUENCE (5′ to 3′) NO 369163 5′ UTR 412 1 CAGAAAGCTAGCGAAGCGCG 414 369164 5′ UTR 412 20 CGCTGCCACCCTAGGCAATC 415 369166 5′ UTR 412 40 CGAGATCCGAGGTAGGTAGC 416 369168 5′ UTR 412 60 AGGCCGTGGTGGCAGCAGGT 417 369170 5′ UTR 412 80 GGAGCCGAGGGACAGCGCTC 418 369172 5′ UTR 412 100 GGGCTTCGCGCTGAGCTCCG 419 369174 5′ UTR 412 124 TCCATGCCCCAGCCGCCGGG 420 369176 5′ UTR 412 140 CACGCAGCGCCCCTGATCCA 421 369178 5′ UTR 412 160 GGCCGTGCAGGAAGCCGCCT 422 369179 5′ UTR 412 180 CTGAAGCCGGTGCACGTCAC 423 369181 5′ UTR 412 198 GCGATGAGGGTCTTCATGCT 424 369183 Coding 412 216 AGGACCCCGGAGTAGGCAGC 425 369185 Coding 412 220 CCGCAGGACCCCGGAGTAGG 426 369187 Coding 412 240 GCTTCGGCCCGACGCTCACC 427 369189 Coding 412 260 TCTTGTTCTCGCTGCGGGCA 428 369191 Coding 412 280 TGACAGGGCAGATCCTTTAT 429 369192 Coding 412 300 CATCGCCCAGACCCCTCGCG 430 369194 Coding 412 320 GGATGCTGGAGCCAGTGCCC 431 369196 Coding 412 340 GATGTCTTGGAGGGCCGAGA 432 369198 Coding 412 360 TTGAGCCAGGTGACAGAGAA 433 369200 Coding 412 380 GTTTTTCCACCTTGGATCTG 434 369201 Coding 412 400 GACTGAGATGACCTGTAGGT 435 369204 Coding 412 420 AAGGATAGGACCCACTGTAG 436 369206 Coding 412 439 GGCCACTCCTAGCACCAGGA 437 369207 Coding 412 460 GTACATGAGGATGACACTGC 438 369209 Coding 412 480 CAGCAGTCAGTGCAGAAGGT 439 369211 Coding 412 500 AGTAGAGAGCAGCTATCAGC 440 369213 Coding 412 520 GTCAAATGCCAGCCAGGTGA 441 369215 Coding 412 540 CCTTTCTTGGGCGTGTTCCA 442 369217 Coding 412 560 CCCACTGTGATCTCCTGCCA 443 369218 Coding 412 599 AGTAGTCTCGAAAATAGCGC 444 369219 Coding 412 620 TCTTCACCAGCTGGATGGGA 445 369220 Coding 412 640 GGTGGTCAGCAGGTTGTGTG 446 369221 Coding 412 660 TATCCAAAGATATAGTTCCT 447 369222 Coding 412 685 CAGGCCCATGATGCCATGGG 448 369223 Coding 412 700 GTTACAGAAGGCACCCAGGC 449 369224 Coding 412 720 TCGGTGGCCTCCGTGCTGAA 450 369225 Coding 412 740 CAGGGAACTTCTTGCTAACT 451 369226 Coding 412 761 TGGCCAAATAAGGCCTTATG 452 369227 Coding 412 780 CGGAAGTTGCCAGCCAATGT 453 369228 Coding 412 800 ACTCCCGAAGCACAGGCATC 454 369229 Coding 412 820 GATGCCTCCAGACATCAGGT 455 369230 Coding 412 840 GTGTCTCTGTTGACAGGGCA 456 369231 Coding 412 852 AAGTAGTCTATGGTGTCTCT 457 369232 Coding 412 855 AGCAAGTAGTCTATGGTGTC 458 369233 Coding 412 862 CTTGGAAAGCAAGTAGTCTA 459 369234 Coding 412 874 ACCACTCCCATTCTTGGAAA 460 369235 Coding 413 231 GCATTACCACTCCCATTCTT 461 369236 Coding 412 884 CAATGGCATTACCACTCCCA 462 369237 Coding 412 889 GATGACAATGGCATTACCAC 463 369238 Coding 412 900 CCTCCCACCACGATGACAAT 464 369239 Coding 412 920 AGCTCAGGGATTCAGCTGCA 465 369240 Coding 412 940 TGCGTTCTTGCCAGGCATGG 466 369241 Coding 412 960 TTGCGGTTCCGCAGGGTGAC 467 369242 Coding 412 981 AGGGCCAGCTTTACAAAGCC 468 369243 Coding 412 1020 CCAAAGGAATAGGTGGGAAC 469 369244 Coding 412 1040 GCTTGTATACCTCATTCTCT 470 369245 Coding 412 1059 CCCTCCTCAAAGATCACCTG 471 369246 Coding 412 1100 TATACTTCTGGAACTTCTTC 472 369247 Coding 412 1112 GGGCGAAACCAATATACTTC 473 369248 Coding 412 1140 AAGAGACCTCGGCCATGGAA 474 369249 Coding 412 1160 GCCCCCAGGTGTCAGAGGAG 475 369250 Coding 412 1180 GGGCTTGGAGTAGGGCACCA 476 369251 Coding 412 1200 TCCCCCACAACGGTGGTGAT 477 369252 Coding 412 1221 AGCTTAGGGACGGTGATGGG 478 369253 Coding 412 1241 CTTTCTGGGTCGGGTGCTCC 479 369254 Coding 412 1261 GGTGTGGTACAGGTCGATGT 480 369255 Coding 412 1280 CCAGGGCCTCCATGTACATG 481 369256 Coding 412 1300 GTGATTGTCAAAGAGCTTCA 482 369257 Coding 412 1320 GGAAGGCCGAATTTGGTCTT 483 369258 Coding 412 1340 CCTCCAGCACCTCAGTCTCT 484

Example 31 Design of an Antisense Chimeric Phosphorothioate Oligonucleotides Having 2′-MOE Wings and a Deoxy Gap and Targeting Mouse Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase 2 Expression

In a further embodiment, an antisense compound ISIS 337205 (ATGCACTCAAGAACTCGGTA, incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 485) was designed to target the 3′ UTR region of the mouse diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 RNA, using published sequence data (SEQ ID NO: 11). ISIS 337205 is a chimeric oligonucleotide (“gapmer”) 20 nucleotides in length, composed of a central “gap” region consisting of 14 2′-deoxynucleotides, which is flanked on both sides (5′ and 3′ directions) by 3-nucleotide “wings”. The wings are composed of 2′-O-methoxyethyl (2′-MOE) nucleotides. The internucleoside (backbone) linkages are phosphorothioate (P═S) throughout the oligonucleotide. All cytidine residues are 5-methylcytidines.

Example 32 Effects of Antisense Inhibition of Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase 2 on Triglyceride Synthesis in Primary Rodent Hepatocytes

Diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2, which is abundantly expressed in the liver and white adipose tissues, participates in triglyceride synthesis and its activity is also tightly linked to the endogenous fatty acid synthesis pathway. Thus, it was of interest to determine whether antisense inhibition of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 would affect triglyceride synthesis in hepatocytes. In a further embodiment, rat and mouse hepatocytes were isolated and treated with ISIS 217357 (SEQ ID NO: 123) and ISIS 217376 (SEQ ID NO: 142), respectively. ISIS 217357 is a cross species oligonucleotide which exhibits 100% complementarity to rat diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2.

Primary hepatocytes were isolated from C57BL/6J mice or Sprague Dawley rats (Charles River Laboratories, Wilmington, Mass.). The animals were anesthetized according to routine procedures. The livers were perfused via the portal vein, first with Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺-free Hanks' balanced salt solution (Invitrogen Corporation, Carlsbad, Calif.) containing 10 mM Hepes and 0.5 mM EGTA (pH 7.4) for approximately 3 minutes and subsequently with digestion buffer (William Medium E, 10 mM Hepes, 2 mM glutamine acid, 0.63 mg/ml collagenase B from Roche, and 0.01 mg/ml gentamycin) for approximately 5 minutes. Perfused livers were removed from the mice or rats and dissociated in ice-cold wash buffer (above digestion buffer with no collagenase but with addition of 10% fetal bovine serum) by agitation. Parenchymal cells were separated from non-parenchymal cells by spinning the harvested cells at 500 rpm for 4 min in a CR412™ centrifuge (Jouan Inc, Winchester, Va.). Cells were then washed twice with cold PBS. The parenchymal hepatocytes with >85% viability, as assessed by staining with trypan blue, were seeded onto 60-mm culture plates coated with collagen type I (BD Biosciences) at 1,000,000 cells per plate in culture medium (William Medium E with 10% fetal bovine serum and 10 nm insulin) and cultured overnight at 37° C. and 5% CO₂.

For transfection with antisense oligonucleotides, the culture medium was aspirated and the hepatocytes were washed once with PBS, and subsequently incubated for 4-6 hr with 1 ml transfection mixture, which contained 150 nM of antisense oligonucleotide and 4.5 μg/mL LIPOFECTIN™ reagent (Invitrogen Corporation, Carlsbad, Calif.) in Williams' Medium E. The mixture was then aspirated and replaced with the culture medium for approximately 24 hours.

Triglyceride synthesis in transfected hepatocytes was determined by measuring the incorporation of tritiated glycerol ([³H]glycerol) into triglycerides. Approximately 24 hours following transfection, the culture medium was replaced with 1 ml of high glucose DMEM medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum, 0.5% bovine serum albumin (medium and supplements from Invitrogen Corporation, Carlsbad, Calif.) and 10 uCi of [³H]glycerol with or without 0.5 mM oleate. As oleate is a free fatty acid, and free fatty acids are incorporated into triglycerides during triglyceride synthesis, oleate was added to the culture medium of some cells to provide an additional supply of fatty acids and to stimulate triglyceride synthesis. Insulin, present in the culture medium, is also known to stimulate triglyceride synthesis.

After continued culture overnight, the cells were harvested. One small fraction of the harvested cells was used for RNA extraction and gene expression analysis; the remaining fraction was used for lipid extraction with hexane:isopropanol (3:2 in volume) mixture. The extracted lipids were separated by thin layer chromatography by methods routine in the art. The amount of incorporated [³H]glycerol into triglyceride was determined by liquid scintillation counting. Data are normalized to untreated control cells and are presented as disintegrations per minute (DPM) per mg in the cultured cell sample. Tables 17a and 17b show the effects of antisense inhibition of diacylglyercol acyltransferase 2 in rat primary hepatocytes and in mouse primary hepatocytes, respectively.

Real-time PCR quantitation was performed to measure diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 mRNA levels. Mouse primers and probe used were SEQ ID NOs: 12, 13 and 14. For rat diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2, probes and primers were designed to hybridize to a rat diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 sequence, using published sequence information (SEQ ID NO: XM_(—)341887.1, SEQ ID NO: 412). For rat diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 the PCR primers were:

forward primer: GGAACCGCAAAGGCTTTGTA (SEQ ID NO: 486)

reverse primer: AATAGGTGGGAACCAGATCAGC (SEQ ID NO: 487) and the PCR probe was: FAM-AGCTGGCCCTGCGCCATGG-TAMRA (SEQ ID NO: 488) where FAM is the fluorescent reporter dye and TAMRA is the quencher dye.

Target expression was normalized to that in cells treated with the control oligonucleotide ISIS 141923.

TABLE 17a Triglyceride synthesis in primary rat hepatocytes Target mRNA Mean incorporation of expression [³H]glycerol into SEQ ID (% of ISIS triglycerides ISIS # NO 141923) DPM × 10³/mg protein Without 141923 229 100 40 oleate 217357 123 27 8 With 141923 229 100 581 oleate 217357 123 23 193

TABLE 17b Triglyceride synthesis in primary mouse hepatocytes Target mRNA Mean incorporation of expression [³H]glycerol into SEQ ID (% of ISIS triglycerides ISIS # NO 141923) DPM × 10³/mg protein Without 141923 229 100 28 oleate 217376 142 25 11 With 141923 229 100 506 oleate 217376 142 2 94

These data reveal that the inhibition of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 in rat hepatocytes dramatically reduced triglyceride synthesis by 5-fold and 3-fold in the absence and presence of oleate, respectively. In primary mouse hepatoctyes, triglyceride synthesis was reduced 2.5-fold and 5.4-fold in the absence and presence of oleate, respectively, following inhibition of target mRNA expression. These reductions occurred regardless of the supply of free fatty acid or the concentration of insulin in the medium.

The expression levels of lipogenic genes in response to inhibition of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 were also measured. Real-time PCR was performed as described herein, using primer-probe sets designed using published sequence information available from GenBank® database and indicated in Tables 18 and 19. Gene expression levels in primary rat hepatocytes and primary mouse hepatocytes were normalized to levels in ISIS 141923-treated cells and are shown in Tables 18 and 19, respectively.

TABLE 18 Lipogenic gene expression in primary rat hepatocytes following treatment with ISIS 217357 GenBank mRNA expression Target Accession # (% of ISIS 141923) Without Diacylglycerol AF078752.1 150 oleate acyltransferase 1 Stearoyl CoA-desaturase 1 NM_009127 38 Acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 BF151634.1 83 Acetyl-CoA carboxylase 2 AF290178.2 44 Apolipoprotein C-III L04150.1 111 With Diacylglycerol AF078752.1 96 oleate acyltransferase 1 Stearoyl CoA-desaturase 1 NM_009127 56 Acetyl-Coa carboxylase 1 BF151634.1 53 Acetyl-CoA carboxylase 2 AF290178.2 32 Apolipoprotein C-III L04150.1 94

As shown in Table 18, reductions in the expression of stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1, acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 and acetyl-CoA carboxylase 2 were observed, both in the presence and absence of oleate. Reductions in these genes were also observed in vivo following antisense inhibition of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2, as described herein.

TABLE 19 Lipogenic gene expression in primary mouse hepatocytes following treatment with ISIS 217376 GenBank mRNA expression Target Accession # (% of ISIS 141923) Without Diacylglycerol AF078752.1 95 oleate acyltransferase 1 Stearoyl CoA-desaturase 1 NM_009127 77 Acetyl-CoA carboxylase 2 AF290178.2 116 With Diacylglycerol AF078752.1 88 oleate acyltransferase 1

As shown in Table 19, in the absence of oleate, a reduction in stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 was observed in primary mouse hepatocytes treated with ISIS 217376. Reduction in the expression of this gene was also observed following treatment of mice with ISIS 217376.

Example 33 Antisense Inhibition of Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase 2 in Lean Rats

In a further embodiment, the effects of antisense inhibition of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 were investigated in normal rats fed a lean diet. Male Sprague-Dawley rats, at 6 weeks of age, were purchased from Charles River Laboratories (Wilmington, Mass.). Rats were maintained on a diet of normal rodent chow (lean diet) and were placed into one of three treatment groups based on body weight. One treatment group received subcutaneous injections of saline, twice weekly. Two treatment groups received twice weekly, subcutaneous injections of 50 mg/kg oligonucleotide; one group received ISIS 217354 (SEQ ID NO: 51) and the other group received ISIS 217357 (SEQ ID NO: 123). ISIS 217354 and ISIS 217357 are cross species oligonucleotides which exhibit 100% complementarity to human, rat and mouse diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2.

Rats received a total of 5 doses and were sacrificed 2 days following the 5^(th) and final dose of oligonucleotide or saline.

At the end of the study, liver tissue and white adipose tissue (WAT) were collected for quantitative real-time PCR of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 mRNA levels. Real-time PCR was performed as described herein. The data are shown in Table 20, normalized to mRNA expression levels in saline-treated mice.

TABLE 20 Antisense inhibition of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 mRNA expression in liver and white adipose tissues from lean rats % Inhibition of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 mRNA ISIS # Liver WAT 217354 27 14 217357 44 27

These data reveal that ISIS 217354 and ISIS 217357 inhibited the expression of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 mRNA expression in liver and white adipose tissue from lean rats.

Plasma cholesterol and triglycerides were measured by chemical analysis as described herein at the start (t=0 weeks) and end (t=2 weeks) of treatment. Triglyceride and cholesterol levels are shown as mg/dL in Table 21a.

TABLE 21a Plasma triglyceride and cholesterol levels in lean rats following antisense inhibition of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 Week 0 Week 2 Cholesterol Triglycerides Cholesterol Triglycerides ISIS # (mg/dL) (mg/dL) (mg/dL) (mg/dL) Saline 99 46 91 95 217354 90 52 51 36 217357 88 68 72 61

As shown in Table 21a, whereas cholesterol and triglycerides in all treatment groups were similar at the start of treatment, 2 weeks of treatment with ISIS 217354 or ISIS 217357 resulted in 56% and 79% reductions in plasma cholesterol, respectively and in 38% and 64% reductions in triglycerides, respectively, relative to levels observed in saline-treated mice.

Plasma glucose and insulin were measured as described herein using a YSI2700 Select™ Biochemistry Analyzer and an ELISA kit, respectively, at the start (t=0 weeks) and end (t=2 weeks) of treatment. In Table 21b, glucose and insulin levels are displayed as mg/dL and ng/mL, respectively.

TABLE 21b Plasma glucose and insulin levels in lean rats following antisense inhibition of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 Week 0 Week 2 Glucose Insulin Glucose Insulin ISIS # (mg/dL) (ng/ml) (mg/dL) (ng/ml) Saline 156 .46 134 1.3 217354 139 .41 113 .63 217357 144 .47 132 .78

These data illustrate that while insulin levels in all treatment groups were similar at t=0 weeks, 2 weeks of treatment with ISIS 217354 or ISIS 217357 decreased insulin levels by 52% and 40%, respectively, relative to those in saline-treated mice. Glucose levels, after 2 weeks of treatment, were unchanged in oligonucleotide-treated mice relative to saline-treated mice.

The serum transaminases ALT and AST were measured at the start and end of treatment, by routine analysis using an Olympus Clinical Lab Automation System (Olympus America Inc., Melville, N.Y.). Increases in ALT or AST are indicative of treatment-induced toxicity. ALT and AST levels are presented in Table 22 in units per liter (U/L).

TABLE 22 Plasma ALT and AST levels Week 0 Week 2 ISIS # ALT (U/L) AST (U/L) ALT (U/L) AST (U/L) Saline 56 104 57 92 217354 55 96 55 60 217357 61 94 56 64

The data in Table 22 demonstrate no toxicities resulting from treatment with ISIS 217354 and ISIS 217357.

Body weight was monitored throughout the study. As shown in Table 23, increases in body weights were observed in all treatment groups and thus were not due to treatment with oligonucleotides. No changes were observed food intake, which was also monitored throughout the treatment period.

TABLE 23 Body weights in lean rats treated with antisense oligonucleotides targeting diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 Week 0 Week 1 Week 2 ISIS # Body weight (g) Body weight (g) Body weight (g) Saline 192 249 306 217354 194 246 290 217357 193 250 296

These data reveal that antisense oligonucleotides targeted to rat diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 effectively inhibited target expression in lean rats, without causing toxicity. Furthermore, insulin, cholesterol and triglyceride levels were reduced after 2 weeks of treatment.

Example 34 Antisense Inhibition of Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase 2 in a Rat Model of Genetic Obesity

The Zucker fatty (fa/fa) rat is an example of a genetic obesity with an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance. The obesity in fa/fa animals is correlated with excessive eating, decreased energy expenditure, compromised thermoregulatory heat production, hyperinsulinemia (overproduction of insulin), and hypercorticosteronemia (overproduction of corticosteroids). The fa mutation has been identified as an amino acid substitution in the extracellular domain of the receptor for leptin. As a consequence, the fa/fa animal has elevated plasma leptin levels and is resistant to exogenous leptin administration.

In a further embodiment, the effects of antisense inhibition of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 are evaluated in the Zucker fa/fa rat model of obesity. Male Zucker fa/fa rats, 6 weeks of age, are purchased from Charles River Laboratories (Wilmington, Mass.). Rats are maintained on a normal rodent diet. Animals are placed into treatments groups of 6 animals each. The control group receives twice weekly, subcutaneous injections of sterile phosphate-buffered saline. The oligonucleotide-treated groups receive twice weekly, subcutaneous injections of an antisense oligonucleotide targeted to rat diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2. By way of example, rats are treated with 25, 37.5 or 50 mg/kg of ISIS 217357 (SEQ ID NO: 123). Rats receive a total of 16 to 20 doses over an 8 week period. The rats are sacrificed at the end of the treatment period.

Body weight and food intake are measured at the start of the treatment period and weekly thereafter. Body composition is measured approximately 3 days prior to the start of the treatment period and during weeks 2, 4 and 5 of treatment.

Serum is collected 2 days prior to the first dose, and every two weeks thereafter. The serum samples, analyzed as described herein, are subjected to measurements of: the liver transaminases ALT and AST, using an Olympus Clinical Lab Automation System (Olympus America Inc., Melville, N.Y.); triglycerides and cholesterol, using the Hitachi 717® analyzer instrument (Roche Diagnostics, Indianapolis, Ind.); free fatty acids, using a NEFA C assay kit (part #994-75409 from Wako Chemicals, GmbH, Germany); and glucose, using a Y512700 Select™ Biochemistry Analyzer (YSI Inc., Yellow Spring, Ohio). Insulin levels are measured using a rat-specific ELISA kit (ALPCO Diagnostics, Windham, N.H.).

To assess the effects of oligonucleotide treatment on glucose tolerance, an oral glucose tolerance test is administered during week 5 and is performed as described herein.

At the end of the study, liver tissue and epididymal fat tissue are collected for RNA isolation and quantitative real-time PCR. Diacylglycerol acyltransferase mRNA levels in these tissues are measured as described herein.

Liver tissue and epididymal fat tissue are also collected for routine histological analysis. The tissues are first fixed in neutral-buffered formalin and are subsequently dehydrated, embedded in paraffin wax, sectioned and stained. Hematoxylin and eosin are used to stain nuclei and cytoplasm, respectively, and oil red O is used to visualize lipids.

Liver, spleen, epididymal fat and brown adipose fat tissues are weighed at the end of the study.

The expression levels of genes involved in lipogenic and gluconeogenic pathways in liver and fat tissue are measured using quantitative real-time PCR. For example, the genes measured are involved in triglyceride synthesis (e.g., glycerol kinase), de novo fatty acid synthesis (e.g., ATP-citrate lyase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1, acetyl-CoA carboxylase 2 and fatty acid synthase) fatty acid oxidation (e.g., carnitine palmitoyltransferase I), fatty acid desaturation (e.g., stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1) and cholesterol synthesis (e.g., HMG-CoA reductase). Furthermore, the expression levels of genes that participate in glycogen metabolism, for example, glycogen phosphorylase, are measured. In addition, genes that participate in fatty acid storage, for example, lipoprotein lipase, are measured. Changes in the expression of hepatic transcription factors, such as sterol regulatory binding element protein 1, are also measured. The expression levels of genes related to gluconeogenesis (e.g., glucose-6-phosphatase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1), glucose uptake in both liver and fat (e.g., glucose transporter type 2 and glucose transporter type 4) and lipid homeostasis in fat (e.g., hormone sensitive lipase and lipoprotein lipase) are also measured.

Example 35 Antisense Inhibition of Rat Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase 2 in Primary Hepatocytes: Dose Response

In a further embodiment, oligonucleotides targeted to rat diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 were selected for dose response studies in primary rat hepatocytes. The oligonucleotides tested were ISIS 217320, ISIS 217336, ISIS 217353, ISIS 217354, ISIS 217356, ISIS 217357 and ISIS 217376.

Primary rat hepatocytes were isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats (Charles River Laboratories, Wilmington, Mass.) and were cultured in Williams Medium E supplemented with 10% fetal bovine, 1% penicillin/streptomycin, 2 mM L-glutamine, and 0.01 M HEPES (Invitrogen Life Technologies, Carlsbad, Calif.). Cells were seeded into 96-well plates (Falcon-Primaria #3872) coated with 0.1 mg/ml collagen at a density of approximately 10,000 cells/well for use in oligonucleotide transfection experiments.

Cells were treated with 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 200 nM of antisense oligonucleotide, as described herein. Rat diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 mRNA expression in oligonucleotide-treated cells was measured using quantitative real-time PCR. The data from the 25, 50, 100 and 200 nM treatments are averaged from 3 experiments and are shown as percent inhibition, relative to untreated control cells, in Table 24. The 5 and 10 nM treatments did not inhibit rat diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 expression.

TABLE 24 Antisense inhibition of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 in rat primary hepatocytes: dose response % Inhibition SEQ ID Dose of oligonucleotide (nM) ISIS # NO 25 50 100 200 217320 29 0 42 45 27 217336 40 17 46 63 72 217353 50 6 60 76 73 217354 51 34 64 66 63 217356 122 0 47 65 69 217357 123 24 61 75 85 217376 142 0 43 70 81

As shown in Table 24, the oligonucleotides tested in this assay inhibited rat diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 expression in primary hepatocytes. ISIS 217336, ISIS 217353, ISIS 217356, ISIS 217357 and ISIS 217376 inhibited target mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner.

All publications cited in this specification are incorporated by reference herein. While the invention has been described with reference to a particularly preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated that modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An antisense compound comprising a chimeric oligonucleotide consisting of 13 to 40 nucleobases in length and comprising a nucleobase sequence comprising a portion of at least 8 contiguous nucleobases complementary to an equal length portion of an intron of a nucleic acid molecule encoding diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 in SEQ ID NO: 18, wherein the nucleobase sequence of the chimeric oligonucleotide is at least 95% complementary to SEQ ID NO: 18 over the entire length of the chimeric oligonucleotide.
 2. The antisense compound of claim 1 comprising 15 to 30 nucleobases in length.
 3. The antisense compound of claim 1, wherein the nucleobase sequence of the chimeric oligonucleotide is at least 99% complementary to SEQ ID NO: 18 over the entire length of the chimeric oligonucleotide.
 4. A method of ameliorating or lessening the severity of a condition, wherein the condition is obesity, diabetes, cholesterolemia, or liver steatosis, in an animal comprising contacting said animal with an effective amount of the antisense compound of claim 1 so that expression of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 is inhibited and measurement of one or more physical indicia of said condition indicates a lessening of the severity of said condition.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the obesity is diet-induced.
 6. The method of claim 4 wherein physical indicia of obesity is increased fat.
 7. The method of claim 4 wherein the animal is a mammal.
 8. The method of claim 4, wherein the liver steatosis is steatohepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
 9. A method of lowering serum free fatty acids, serum triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, total serum cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol, plasma insulin, serum insulin, hepatic triglycerides, plasma apolipoprotein B level or a combination thereof in an animal comprising administering to said animal the antisense compound of claim 1, wherein the serum free fatty acids, serum triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, total serum cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol, plasma insulin, serum insulin, hepatic triglycerides, plasma apolipoprotein B level or a combination thereof is lowered.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of selecting an animal in need of such treatment.
 11. A method of increasing insulin sensitivity or leptin sensitivity in an animal comprising administering to said animal the antisense compound of claim 1, wherein insulin sensitivity or leptin sensitivity is increased.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of selecting an animal in need of such treatment.
 13. The antisense compound of claim 1, wherein the antisense compound is 20 nucleobases in length.
 14. The antisense compound of claim 13, wherein all internucleotide linkages are phosphorothioates and at least one 2-O-methoxyethyl nucleotide is at each of the 3′ and 5′ termini of said antisense compound.
 15. The antisense compound of claim 14, wherein nucleotides 1-5 are 2-O-methoxyethyl nucleotides, nucleotides 6-15 are 2-deoxynucleotides, and nucleotides 16-20 are 2-O-methoxyethyl nucleotides.
 16. The antisense compound of claim 14, wherein nucleotides 1-2 are 2-O-methoxyethyl nucleotides, nucleotides 3-18 are 2-deoxynucleotides, and nucleotides 19-20 are 2-O-methoxyethyl nucleotides.
 17. The method of claim 9 wherein lowering serum free fatty acids, serum triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, total serum cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol, plasma insulin, serum insulin, hepatic triglycerides, plasma apolipoprotein B level or a combination thereof reduces an animal's risk of developing liver steatosis.
 18. The method of claim 9 wherein lowering serum free fatty acids, serum triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, total serum cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol, plasma insulin, serum insulin, hepatic triglycerides, plasma apolipoprotein B level or a combination thereof ameliorates or lessens the severity of a condition associated with liver steatosis.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the liver steatosis is steatohepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the liver steatosis is steatohepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). 